Search Efforts Ongoing For Missing Man In Rocky Mountain National Park

Today, September 29, Rocky Mountain National Park rangers continued search efforts for Chad Pallansch, 49, of Fort Collins, Colorado. He was reported overdue yesterday, September 28, and park rangers confirmed his vehicle was still parked at the North Inlet Trailhead on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. Pallansch was last heard from around noon on Wednesday, September 27.

Pallansch started from the East Inlet Trailhead near Grand Lake on Wednesday, September 27. His reported itinerary was an expansive 28-mile route which included crossing the Continental Divide and traveling on established trails as well as off trail travel through steep talus slopes. Potential travel areas include Lake Verna, Mount Alice, Chiefs Head Peak, Black Lake, Mills Lake, and Flattop Mountain.

Pallansch is described as 5’7,” 155 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. He is described as a fit runner with both trail running and marathon experience. He is likely wearing a black ultralight jacket, black running shorts or leggings and a grey fanny pack.

Search efforts yesterday afternoon included air reconnaissance as well as ground crews on the North Inlet and East Inlet Trails and east of the divide near Mount Alice. Search efforts today include air recon and ground teams searching the Black Lake and Upper Glacier Gorge area, Thunder Lake as well as the North Inlet Trail to Solitude Lake. Park rangers are also continuing investigations.

If you have information that could help investigators, if you may have seen Chad Pallansch, or if you were in the areas listed above on September 27, please contact us. You don't have to tell us who you are, but please tell us what you know. CALL or TEXT the National Park Service Investigative Services Bureau Tip Line 888-653-0009, ONLINE form www.nps.gov/ISB or EMAIL nps_isb@nps.gov



Jeff
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