ESTES PARK – Several new searches have failed to turn up any sign of Micah Tice, a U.S. Air Force Academy cadet candidate from Las Vegas who was last seen in the Battle Mountain area on November 24.
That comes after overall search operations were suspended on December 4, but search managers said activities could take place during winter months if conditions allowed.
Between Friday, December 7, and Sunday, December 9 the search focused on the Granite Pass area and northern lower slopes of Longs Peak, including the Wind River and Boulder Brook drainages. On Monday, December 10, weather conditions allowed teams to focus on the Keyhole Route to the summit of Longs Peak. They also searched the Chasm Lake area, Clark’s Arrow, and the Loft. On Tuesday, December 11, searchers returned to the Wind River drainage.
Conditions in the search area include chest deep snow, thick snow covered forests, and vast areas of dead and down trees. At higher elevations winds leave the landscape bare or create deep snow drifts.
Park rangers were notified on November 26 that the Air Force Academy was asking for help in locating the 20-year-old. His vehicle was found at the Longs Peak area later that day, and active search efforts began at sunrise the following day.
Tice was last seen on November 24 by other park visitors in the Battle Mountain area. The visitors discouraged him from continuing to the summit due to his clothing and footwear, as well as poor weather conditions. Tice was reported to be wearing a black sweatshirt, black sweatpants, a black hat, lightweight gloves, tennis shoes, and a light blue backpack.
