Rocky mountains
After 38 years: Wanderer finds the bones of a missing German
In winter, the mountain ranges of the Rocky Mountains can become unpopular terrain
© Cavan Images / Imago Images
In 1983 a German disappeared without a trace in the Rocky Mountains. Search actions were unsuccessful. 38 years later, a hiker finds the remains of the missing man.
In February 1983 a German tourer set off alone in the Rocky Moutains in the US state of Colorado. The 27-year-old wanted to ski in the wilderness for several days, but he didn’t come back. Only now, 38 years later, do the authorities have an answer. “We believe that he was killed in an avalanche,” said park ranger Kyle Patterson from Rocky Mountain National Park to the German press agency on Thursday.
Reported missing by roommate
The authority had previously announced in a press release that bone fragments found in the mountain region had been assigned to the missing person. The German, who lived in Fort Collins in Colorado, had been described as an “experienced mountaineer”. He probably came from Augsburg, Patterson stated.
Six days after the start of his ski tour, he was reported missing by a roommate, the message said. Snowfall in the region made the search for the tourer difficult at the time. During the search, the teams only came across a snow cave with his sleeping bag, equipment and provisions. Avalanche dogs and helicopters were also used. Further searches in the spring and summer of the year were unsuccessful.
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Hiker finds human remains
In August 2020, a hiker came across human bones in the over 3,300 meter high region. A macabre circumstance – because this steep mountain area is called Skeleton Gulch (skeleton gorge). There was also evidence of an earlier avalanche at the site.
During another search this summer, park rangers discovered skis, sticks, ski boots and other personal items. With the help of these finds, the identification of the victim was possible, said Patterson of the dpa. The forensic doctors had also tried, but the dental analyzes carried out were not conclusive in the end. They worked closely with the German authorities to repatriate the remains. Patterson: He has family members who are still alive.