Rescuers took action to locate missing skier

Boulder County, Colo. - On January 28, 2021 at approximately 9:00 p.m. the Boulder County Communications Center was notified of 36-year-old male skier who was overdue after a hut trip with two other companions.

The other two companions left the Arestua Hut at approximately 1:00 p.m. descending back to their cars, parked at the Hessie Trailhead, by 3:00 p.m. The third member was not ready to depart when his companions left. The two members of the group became concerned when they had not heard from the third member of the group in the late evening. One of them returned to the trailhead and upon noting the third skier’s car was still there and called for assistance.

Members from the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office and the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group began to search for the missing party, including rescuers deployed on skis, snowshoes, and snowmobiles. The teams covered a large area of terrain, including the intended route from the hut. Ultimately, rescuers were able to get in contact with the overdue party by phone and found him. He had decided to stay an extra night without notifying his friends.

Agencies assisting with this search effort included: Boulder County Sheriff’s Office and the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group. The search took approximately nine hours.

The associated Boulder County Sheriff's Office case number is: #21-562.

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/s/ Ryan Singer, Emergency Services Coordinator