Chad Pallansch, 49, of Fort Collins, Colorado, disappeared during a long trail run in Rocky Mountain National Park on September 27, 2023. He left the East Inlet Trailhead near Grand Lake around that morning and texted around noon saying he was nearing the summit of Mount Alice. His planned route was roughly 28 miles and crossed the Continental Divide over established trails and difficult off-trail terrain, including steep talus slopes.

When he failed to return, he was reported overdue on September 28 and rangers found his vehicle at the North Inlet Trailhead. A large search and rescue operation followed: ground teams, dog teams, helicopters and drones searched areas tied to his itinerary, including Lake Verna, Chiefs Head Peak, Black Lake, Mount Alice, Lake Powell, Stone Man Pass and McHenry’s Peak. High winds and complex terrain hampered efforts. After nearly two weeks with no definitive clues, broad-scale searching was suspended on October 10, 2023; rangers continued periodic patrols and review of aerial and drone imagery. The investigation remains open.

If anyone was on those trails or saw Chad on September 27, what did he look like or where might he have been heading that day?