Ranger Still Missing in Colorado Park



MEGAN BOLDT
Distributed by the Associated Press


Searchers in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park are using helicopters today to shuttle crews into hard-to-reach areas and conduct aerial searches for a park ranger and Forest Lake native who has been missing for a week.

No new clues were uncovered Thursday in the disappearance of 31-year-old Jeff Christensen. He was last seen July 29 by hikers when he was on routine patrol near the summit of Mount Chiquita, which is in the park's rugged Mummy Range.

The lack of progress Thursday is disheartening for park officials. On Wednesday, there was renewed hope that Christensen could be found after visitors reported hearing gunshots and seeing smoke in a part of the 26-square-mile search area.

Later that day, searchers heard gunshots fired in response to their own shots; others heard a radio keyed, also in apparent response to searchers' gunfire.

About 150 searchers, along with five helicopters and three dog teams will continue to search the area where park officials believe Christensen might be. Rainy, overcast weather that hampered aerial searches Thursday may hinder today's efforts as well.

Some crews will spend the night in the area to lengthen the search time.

Christensen is an experienced and fit mountaineer who is a trained emergency medical technician. He has been a ranger for four seasons and had with him a gun, radio and a backpack equipped with various gear.

The search area in the Mummy Range has few designated trails and elevation ranging from 10,600 feet to more than 13,000.

Christensen's parents, Dale and Chris Christensen, live in Forest Lake but traveled from there to Estes Park, Colo., on Tuesday. Estes Park lies about 65 miles northwest of Denver, near the national park.

Chirstensen lives in Fraser, Colo.

I wonder if he stumbled into a meth lab or marijuana grow?

Quoted: Ranger Still Missing in Colorado Park MEGAN BOLDT Distributed by the Associated Press Searchers in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park are using helicopters today to shuttle crews into hard-to-reach areas and conduct aerial searches for a park ranger and Forest Lake native who has been missing for a week. No new clues were uncovered Thursday in the disappearance of 31-year-old Jeff Christensen. He was last seen July 29 by hikers when he was on routine patrol near the summit of Mount Chiquita, which is in the park's rugged Mummy Range. The lack of progress Thursday is disheartening for park officials. On Wednesday, there was renewed hope that Christensen could be found after visitors reported hearing gunshots and seeing smoke in a part of the 26-square-mile search area. Later that day, searchers heard gunshots fired in response to their own shots; others heard a radio keyed, also in apparent response to searchers' gunfire. About 150 searchers, along with five helicopters and three dog teams will continue to search the area where park officials believe Christensen might be. Rainy, overcast weather that hampered aerial searches Thursday may hinder today's efforts as well. Some crews will spend the night in the area to lengthen the search time. Christensen is an experienced and fit mountaineer who is a trained emergency medical technician. He has been a ranger for four seasons and had with him a gun, radio and a backpack equipped with various gear. The search area in the Mummy Range has few designated trails and elevation ranging from 10,600 feet to more than 13,000. Christensen's parents, Dale and Chris Christensen, live in Forest Lake but traveled from there to Estes Park, Colo., on Tuesday. Estes Park lies about 65 miles northwest of Denver, near the national park. Chirstensen lives in Fraser, Colo. I wonder if he stumbled into a meth lab or marijuana grow?

More likely a cougar

ETA:  Or just had an accident.

Quoted: More likely a cougar ETA:  Or just had an accident.

Yup.


Maybe it's just me, but I have a hard time believing that meth cookers would bother to hike into mountains that ranged from 10,600 to more than 13,000 feet.

The search area in the Mummy Range has few designated trails and elevation ranging from 10,600 feet to more than 13,000.

Slip. Fall. Good bye.

Mama bear and cubs.

Quoted: Slip. Fall. Good bye.

Yeah, a broken leg would be enough in that country.
Especially if you're alone.