Today, during helicopter search efforts, Peter Jeffris' body was located 200 feet below the Ledges on the Keyhole Route. A Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue Team was flown to a landing spot in the Glacier Gorge drainage. The four team members then climbed approximately 1,800 vertical feet to where Jeffris was found. They prepared his body for transport. His body was flown from the scene to a landing spot at Upper Beaver Meadows at approximately 4:00 p.m. and transferred to the Boulder County Coroner.
Jeffris was reported overdue the afternoon of Monday, Nov. 17, when he did not arrive at work. His vehicle was located in the parking lot at the Longs Peak Trailhead. He reportedly left Sunday morning to summit Longs Peak. It was unclear what route he was planning, but he indicated to friends he was considering the Cables Route on the north face. Safety was a top priority in determining when and where rescue personnel could search for Jeffris.
Winter conditions including extreme winds and below freezing temperatures made search and recovery operations even more difficult. These challenging conditions hampered search operations, particularly above tree line, the past three days. With today's calmer winds, searchers were able to utilize a helicopter which enhanced our ability to cover a much larger area and ultimately locate Jeffris.
Over the multiple day search, Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue Teams were assisted by Larimer County Search and Rescue, Rocky Mountain Rescue, Alpine Rescue Team, Diamond Peak Ski Patrol, Douglas County Search and Rescue, Search Dogs of Colorado and the Colorado Search and Rescue Board. Park staff also worked with the US Air Force Rescue Coordination Center.
No further information is available at this time.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
