Search underway for missing climber on Denali

An initial aerial search for an overdue climber on Denali  took place this morning (thurs) according to Park spokeswoman, Maureen McLaughlin.

Gerald Myers, a 41-year-old resident of Centennial, Colorado, began a
solo bid for the summit on Tuesday, May 19. According to a note left for his three climbing partners, Myers departed the 14,200 camp around 4:30 a.m.    Other sightings that afternoon were made
on the traverse to Denali Pass at 18, 600 feet and then again near 19,000
feet.  According to NPS rangers on patrol at high camp, Myers did not
return to camp Tuesday night.

During their investigations the following day, rangers learned that Myers
was seen by another party  approaching the mountain’s summit.   At the time, weather high on the
mountain was deteriorating with winds gusting 40 to 50 mph.

McLaughlin says that Myers was reportedly carrying skis on his backpack when he was spotted near
the summit.  Based on equipment left at various caches on the mountain, it
is expected that Myers was carrying minimal survival gear at the time of
his disappearance.  He is presumed to be carrying a SPOT locator beacon.

Aerial searching will continue as visibility and winds allow.   Rangers and volunteers at the 14-2 camp continue conducting visual searches via a spotting scope for a possible ski descent. Currently, visibility is generally obscured by clouds, with wind gusting to 45 mph near the summit.