Part of Rocky Mountain National Park was to be closed to the public Friday to allow dog teams to look for a missing trail runner/NPS

A week after a trail runner was reported missing in the high country of Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, searchers continued to hold out hope Thursday he'll be found alive as airborne observers took to the skies over the rugged park.

In the days since Chad Pallansch, 49, of Fort Collins, Colorado, failed to return from a planned 28-mile run, rain, snow and ice have covered parts of his route. A park release Thursday says searchers were reviewing aerial reconnaissance photographs and preparing for a concentrated ground search.

Helicopter flights were launched for aerial reconnaissance and to confirm suitable landing zones to insert teams in the field beginning Friday. Weather and resources permitting, ground searchers and dog teams were to be flown to several locations. To limit scent distractions and assist the effectiveness of the dog teams, a public closure is in effect from 6 p.m. Thursday from Mount Alice to McHenry’s Peak including Black Lake and Lion Lake 1, Lion Lake 2 and Snowbank Lake.          

Pallansch was reported overdue on September 28, and park rangers confirmed his vehicle was still parked at the North Inlet Trailhead on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. Pallansch was last heard from around noon on Wednesday, September 27 when a text that was received at that time indicated he was almost to the summit of Mount Alice and roughly 7 miles from the Bear Lake area.   

Pallansch started from the East Inlet Trailhead near Grand Lake on Wednesday, September 27. His reported itinerary was an expansive 28-mile route that included crossing the Continental Divide and traveling on established trails as well as off trail travel through steep talus slopes. Potential travel areas include Lake Verna, Mount Alice, Chiefs Head Peak, Black Lake, Mills Lake, and Flattop Mountain.  

Pallansch had not attempted this route previously but was described an experienced trail runner who has run numerous routes in the park including Longs Peak more than 30 times.     

Standing 5-foot-7 and weighing 155 pounds, Pallansch is an experienced trail runner with marathon experience. He likely was wearing a black ultralight jacket, black running shorts or leggings and a grey fanny pack.