7 replies to this topic

[Aaron]

At 8:15 a.m. today, Sunday, July 25, park rangers were notified of an overdue backcountry skiier.  The 40 year old Colorado man was planning to ski in the backcountry near Finch Lake on Saturday and had not been heard from.  At 9:20 a.m. park rangers went to the Finch Lake Trailhead and found the man's car.  The man was reported to be an experienced backcountry skiier who was planning on hiking in to and skiing a snowfield near Finch Lake.  At 4:00 p.m. park rangers found the man's body on a snowfield above Cony Lake in the Hutcheson Lakes drainage near the southern boundary of Rocky Mountain National Park.   At this time, the cause of death is unknown.

 

The man's body is roughly 10 miles from the nearest trailhead.  Because of weather conditions and logistics the body recovery will take place tomorrow.  Rangers will remain close to the scene of the accident tonight.  His body will be transferred tomorrow to the Boulder County Coroner's office.  The victim's name will not be released until next of kin are notified.



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[ProfHall]

This is an unbelievable year in the park, isn't it? My thoughts are with the man's family...and with the rangers, out again on difficult duty.

[Allie]

Such a sad year in the park this year. Thoughts and prayers to this man's family. Once again, the park rangers are doing a wonderful, but sometimes sad job.

[goatboy]

this is a part of the job of rangers i would not like, what a terrible year for the park !

[Jenny]

I can't believe the number of accidents and fatalities in the park this year. So sad. I'm thankful that so many are sending cards for Thank a Ranger Day. The rangers probably need a boost after all they've been dealing with this season.

[Igloo Ed]

Jenny, on 26 July 2010 - 09:38 AM, said:

I can't believe the number of accidents and fatalities in the park this year. So sad. I'm thankful that so many are sending cards for Thank a Ranger Day. The rangers probably need a boost after all they've been dealing with this season.

That's one thing about the date of the Thank A Ranger Day, it is right at or possibly at the end of the busiest part of the season for the Rangers.
With the Rangers being uncertain of the cause of death, I'm thinking it was a health issue.

[mistylady]

So sorry to hear that the Rangers were needed again. It makes you wonder what is happening in the park this year. Are visitors being more careless? Thoughts and prayers to all involved.

[Scrapinator]

mistylady, on 26 July 2010 - 10:39 AM, said:

So sorry to hear that the Rangers were needed again. It makes you wonder what is happening in the park this year. Are visitors being more careless? Thoughts and prayers to all involved.

The skier was identified as Lacy Elliott Meadows, of Broomfield. Cause of death as of yesterday was still unknown.