The search for a climber reported missing on Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park has continued into a third day, with the effort being hampered by extreme winter weather conditions on the mountain. Peter Jeffris, 25, from Broomfield, Colorado, was reported overdue on the afternoon of Monday, November 17.

Jeffris had reportedly left Sunday morning to summit Longs Peak, and subsequently failed to show up for work Monday. Rangers were notified that afternoon, and they found his car in the parking lot at the Longs Peak Trailhead. It was unclear what route he was planning, but he indicated to friends he was considering the Cables Route on the north face, a park release said. The young man was reportedly not prepared to spend the night.

A park search and rescue team covered a small part of the area where Jeffris was thought to be until dark Monday. The effort was expanded significantly at daylight on Tuesday, focusing on the north face, Keyhole Route, Chasm Cirque area, and along the Longs Peak Trail. Park personnel were assisted by Rocky Mountain Rescue and Larimer County Search and Rescue.

Weather on Sunday and Monday included snow, high winds and bitter temperatures. On Tuesday, teams were facing extremely high winds, blowing snow, and gusts up to 85 mph at 14,000 feet. Aerial search efforts were not possible due to the extreme winds.

Search efforts the last two days have not revealed any significant signs or clues, but the mission is continuing today. According to park spokesperson Kyle Patterson, today's efforts will largely focus below tree line due to hazardous conditions including extreme winds above 11,500 feet.  

Teams will concentrate on drainages leading to the north and east from Longs Peak, and will also use spotting scopes from a distance to search areas including the Ledges and Trough along the Keyhole Route, Kiener's Route and Lambs Slide. A dog team will be used to search from Jeffris’ vehicle, his last known point. Aerial operations are not possible again today due to high winds and strong gusts.  
 
The Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue Team is being assisted today by Alpine Rescue Team, Larimer County Search and Rescue, Diamond Peak Ski Patrol, Search Dogs of Colorado and the Colorado Search and Rescue Board.  

For the last two days, park staff have also been working with the US Air Force Rescue Coordination Center related to cell phone tracking.  However, no significant information has been obtained that would influence the search.  There are thirty-two people involved in the overall search efforts today.
 
Park rangers ask anyone who was in the Longs Peak area on Sunday, November 16, to call the park at (970) 586-1204, in hopes those individuals might be able to provide any information that would aid in the search.