Search Efforts For Missing Man On Longs Peak In Rocky Mountain National Park

      Monday, May 13, Rocky Mountain National Park rangers began search efforts for Lucas Macaj, 23, of Colorado Springs, Colorado.  He was reported overdue late last night after attempting to summit Longs Peak yesterday.  Early this morning rangers confirmed his vehicle was still parked at the Longs Peak Trailhead.  Macaj was last heard from at approximately 1 p.m., Sunday, May 12, when he texted a friend indicating that he was on the summit of Longs Peak.  Significant storms moved through high elevations in the park Sunday afternoon.   

      Macaj started from the Longs Peak Trailhead early Sunday, to summit Longs Peak via the Keyhole Route.  He is likely wearing a dark colored top, tan or brown pants, khaki-colored boots, and a black backpack.  He may also be wearing a beanie and dark colored gloves. Macaj is described as 5’9,” 155 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes.

      Search efforts Monday have included air reconnaissance, a heat sensing fixed-wing flight and ground teams on the Longs Peak Trail to the Ledges on the Keyhole Route.  Search efforts have also taken place on the Boulder Brook Trail.  Air reconnaissance has focused on the Keyhole Route including The Ledges, The Trough, The Narrows, The Homestretch and the saddle between Longs Peak and Mount Meeker. Park rangers are also continuing investigations.

     Assisting Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue Team members with air reconnaissance today include Flight for Life Air Ambulance and aircraft from the State of Colorado Department of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) including a fixed wing aircraft outfitted with infrared and color sensors and a helitak crew for helicopter air reconnaissance. 

      If you have information that could help investigators, if you may have seen Lucas Macaj, or if you were in the areas listed above on May 12, 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 formwww.nps.gov/ISB or EMAIL [email protected].

-NPS-

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