Wintry weather grounded the search for a New Jersey man thought missing at Rocky Mountain National Park/NPS photo from 10-9-18

A cold front that brought gusty winds and heavy snow to the high country of Rocky Mountain National Park has complicated the search for a New Jersey man thought to be missing in the backcountry, restricting the terrain that can be searched and keeping teams grounded Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the fourth day in the hunt for Ryan Albert, of Marlton, New Jersey, crews struggled with waist-deep snow drifts, decreased visibility, cold temperatures, ice-covered rock, avalanche hazards, wind and falling snow throughout the day. Still, four technical teams reached high elevations in the Longs Peak area, including Chasm View, the Keyhole, the Cables, Ledges, Boulderfield and Peacock Pool. No clues were found.

Tuesday night into Wednesday morning the weather forecast called for as much as 10 inches of snow in the park's backcountry. Based on the continued deteriorating weather conditions that teams experienced Tuesday, accompanied by the forecast, the search teams were not to be sent out Wednesday.

Albert was last seen leaving the Denver area early Thursday morning, October 4, wearing dark clothes and a backpack. It was believed he planned to attempt Longs Peak that day. Albert’s rental car was found at the Longs Peak trailhead on Friday afternoon. Information received on Saturday indicated that the 30-year-old intended on climbing Longs Peak via the Keyhole Route.