Climbing
[Updated May 14]
A 23-year-old Colorado man has been reported missing on Monday, May 13. Lucas Macaj of Colorado Springs, Colorado, did not return from a hike to Longs Peak on Sunday, May 12. He was last heard from at around 1 p.m. on Sunday, 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.
Rocky Mountain National Park Services (NPS) began search efforts for Macaj on Monday morning, and rangers confirmed that his vehicle was still parked at the Longs Peak Trailhead. According to Rocky Mountain National Parks, Macaj took the Keyhole Route to Longs Peak from the Longs Peak Trailhead early yesterday.
The search for Macaj continued on Tuesday, May 14, but were hampered by strong winds, white out conditions, and low visibility. Search and rescue teams were unable to be safely inserted today in the Loft area and the Keyhole Route on Longs Peak due to these conditions. Search members hiked/snowshoed above Black Lake and glassed the area below The Trough as well as the terrain below The Ledges.
Search efforts on 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.
Police and NPS are urging visitors to the area with any information to please come forward. If you were in the areas listed above on May 12, please contact Rocky Mountain NPS. You don’t have to tell them who you are, but please share any information you may have.
☎️ CALL the NPS Tip Line at 888-653-0009
🌎 ONLINE www.nps.gov/ISB
📧 EMAIL nps_isb@nps.gov
According to NPS, the missing hiker 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.
At 14,259 feet (4,346 meters), Longs Peak is the 15th highest peak in Colorado and is regarded as one of the state’s more deadly peaks due to its easy access and high visitation, with about 15,000 attempts each year. Each year about two hikers die on Longs Peak. In total, 62 people have perished while climbing or hiking Longs Peak, the majority due to falls.
