On Thursday, September 28, 2023, a man was reported missing by his wife after failing to return from a run at Rocky Mountain National Park, CO. 49-year old Fort Collins, CO, native Chad Pallansch was last heard from on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, when the experienced trail runner set out on a 28-mile run from North Inlet Trailhead. Rocky Mountain National Park rangers confirmed that his vehicle was discovered still parked at the North Inlet Trailhead on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Pallansch had informed his wife Connie, that he was planning to run from the East Inlet Trailhead near Grand Lake on Wednesday, September 27, and follow 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.
Mountain National Park rangers set out on Thursday, September 28, by air and on the ground. The ground crews set out from the North Inlet and East Inlet Trails and east of the divide near Mount Alice. Rangers continued search efforts for Chad Pallansch, on Friday, September 29. Search efforts on Friday included 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 National Park Services. All information will be confidential and you do not have to disclose your identity to rangers. The call-line for the National Park Service Investigative Services Bureau Tip Line is 888-653-0009, or you can submit information online under go.NPS.gov/SubmitATip or by email at nps_isb@nps.gov .
