ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK — Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue team members have found remains believed to be those of U.S. Air Force Prep School Academy Cadet Micah Tice.
The discovery comes a day after private searchers affiliated with the Tice family told park staff they found items believed to belong to Tice below the treeline in the Boulder Brook drainage. That is one of the areas where initial search efforts were heavily focused, but the area was covered in deep snow through the winter.
RMNP officials say Park Rangers have completed an investigation of the area and recovery operations have begun. The remains will be transferred to the Larimer County Coroner's office. A positive identification will not be released until after an autopsy.
Tice was reported missing on the afternoon of November 26, and he was believed to be in the Longs Peak area. His vehicle was later found at the Longs Peak trailhead.
Investigators determined Tice may have been trying to climb Longs Peak on Saturday, November 24.
Witnesses later said the saw and talked to Tice just above the treeline in blizzard conditions. Those witnesses said visibility and weather conditions were worsening, and the Tice was wearing a black sweatshirt, black sweatpants, a black hat, black lightweight gloves, tennis shoes, and a light blue backpack. They said they tried to discourage Tice from continuing to the summit due to the conditions and his clothing.
