Search For Missing Hiker Suspended Due To Weather
VAIL, Colo. (CBS4) – After days of combing through the backcountry, the search for a missing hiker has been called off.
Several inches of snowfall forced search and rescue efforts to be suspended.
The hiker is emergency room doctor James McGrogan who is visiting Colorado from Indiana.
McGrogan's mother, wife and brother have traveled to Colorado to help out with the search.
He was supposed to meet friends at a hut near Vail on Friday but never showed up.
"Unfortunately we're not finding any signs," said Jessie Mosher from the Eagle County Sheriff's Office.
The search has gone on day and night on snowmobiles to get deep into the White River National Forest and even searches on skis.
"Unfortunately we're not finding much. As of Tuesday morning there was over 1,000 man hours of both members and volunteers, we also had 30 hours of helicopter time," said Mosher.
There haven't been any signs of avalanches but after days without any clues, James' family is starting to get nervous.
"It's been four or five days now. Now I'm starting to really worry that he might not make it," said James' father Bill McGrogan.
James is known as an adventurer and came here well equipped with food, GPS and medical supplies.
However he simply hasn't been seen since Friday morning.
"They left the trailhead at about 8:30 in the morning on Friday at about 10 o'clock they decided to take a break," said Mosher.
James went ahead of his group and they never caught up to him.
"Due to this winter storm and adverse weather conditions the sheriff did decide to suspend the search and rescue efforts," said Mosher.
"It's just too bad we have to, if we have lost him it's just too bad. What a loss you know? He's a good kid," said McGrogan.
Currently there is no set date and time when search and rescue efforts will resume.
