Search efforts for Micah Tice employ significant aerial operations

Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue Team members continued to search the Longs Peak area for Micah Tice who was last seen on Saturday, November 24. Ground search efforts on Sunday, December 2, focused in the Boulder Field, Mount Lady Washington, Battle Mountain, Storm Pass Trail and the Boulder Brook drainage. Due to the best flying conditions since the search began last week, two Colorado National Guard helicopters from Buckley Air Force Base were able to assist with aerial reconnaissance and search managers focused their efforts on Battle Mountain, the Boulder Field, the Keyhole Route, the south side of Longs Peak, Peacock Pool, Mount Lady Washington, Half Mountain and the upper part of the Roaring Fork Drainage. Over the last week the overall search area has encompassed approximately 10 square miles.

Also assisting Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue Team members included Rocky Mountain Rescue, Alpine Rescue Team, Douglas County Search and Rescue, Grand County Search and Rescue, Larimer County Search and Rescue, Colorado Search and Rescue Board, Summit County Rescue Group Dog Team, and Front Range Rescue Dogs.

On Thursday, November 29, Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue Team members received information from park visitors who were in the Longs Peak area on Saturday, November 24. They spoke and hiked with Micah Tice for approximately 20 minutes. They reported that he was wearing a black sweatshirt, black sweatpants, a black hat, black lightweight gloves, tennis shoes and a light blue backpack. Micah indicated he had started from the Longs Peak Trailhead at 6:30 a.m. They last saw Micah in the vicinity of the Battle Mountain area, between 7:30 to 8 a.m. on Saturday, November 24, as visibility and weather conditions continued to deteriorate.

On Monday, November 26, Rocky Mountain National Park rangers were notified that the US Air Force Academy was asking for assistance in locating a missing Cadet Candidate, Micah Tice, 20, from Las Vegas, Nevada, who was last heard from late Friday, November 23. Tice’s vehicle was located at the Longs Peak Trailhead late Monday afternoon. It is unknown what Tice’s planned destination or route was. Weather for Longs Peak on Saturday included blizzard conditions, extremely high winds, bitter cold temperatures and snow accumulation.

Park rangers would like to hear from anyone who has been in the Longs Peak area since Saturday morning, November 24, or who may have had contact with Tice regarding his planned route on Longs Peak. Please call Rocky Mountain National Park at (970) 586-1204.