Park rangers are searching for a missing 60-year-old man who went hiking in the Longs Peak and Mount Meeker area over the weekend and hadn't returned.
On Tuesday evening, rangers at Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) were notified that a 60-year-old man who had been on the park’s trails had not returned and was overdue. A family member told rangers that Jens “Jay” Yambert, of Urbana, Illinois, most likely started hiking from the Longs Peak Trailhead on Sunday around 2 p.m.
His rental car was found at the trailhead Tuesday evening.
Yambert’s destination or planned route was unknown, but RMNP said he may have been heading to Clark’s Arrow to the summit of Longs Peak.
On Wednesday morning, members of the Rocky Mountain National Park’s Search and Rescue team started searching the Longs Peak area, including Clark’s Arrow, the Boulder Field, North Face, Lamb’s Slide and Peacock Pool. Northern Colorado Helitack helped with an aerial search.
Yambert may be wearing a black raincoat, khaki pants, a hat, sandals and a blue or gray backpack. He may be carrying trekking poles, RMNP said.
Rangers ask that anybody who was in the Longs Peak or Mount Meeker area since Sunday to call the office, especially if they notice abandoned gear, at 970-586-1204.
On Aug. 24, the National Park Service released a report detailing how this time of year is the most dangerous for hiking and climbing on Longs Peak. Icy conditions and afternoon storms are primary hazards. Some recent storms have dumped 3 to 4 inches of snow on the upper mountain and as temperatures gradually warm and cool, the snow melts and then becomes ice. The NPS said it advises hikers to get a pre-dawn start if they want to summit, and get back below the tree line by noon.
