Found Deceased CO - Jens Yambert, 60, Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, 26 Aug 2018

[dspdenver]

Illinois man missing on Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park

https://i2.wp.com/www.denverpost.co.../08/Jens-Jay-Yambert.jpg?fit=620,9999px&ssl=1

[A 60-year-old Illinois man is presumed missing on Longs Peak after his family reported him overdue from a trip to the mountain.... Jens “Jay” Yambert is believed to have started a hike to the summit at 2 p.m. Sunday from the Longs Peak Trailhead]

[People who were on Longs Peak or Mount Meeker since Sunday, and who may have spotted Yambert or may have seen clues — including abandoned gear — to his whereabouts, are asked to call the park at 970-586-1204.]

 

[Razz]

My brother and his daughter climbed this peak years back. I recall them saying there were some frightening drop offs.

Leaving at 2:00 p.m. to climb a mountain seems like a bad idea. Especially with the summer thunderstorms that roll through that area in the afternoons. I hope they find him soon.

 

[dspdenver]

My brother and his daughter climbed this peak years back. I recall them saying there were some frightening drop offs.

Leaving at 2:00 p.m. to climb a mountain seems like a bad idea. Especially with the summer thunderstorms that roll through that area in the afternoons. I hope they find him soon.

The back side of the mountain past the Keyhole area is very exposed with drop-offs. My friend wouldn't continue the hike when we reached the last stretch up the mountain when he saw the steep drop-off at the Narrows area a number of years ago (the only time he'd gotten scared hiking in the mountains, he said), and my roommate and his friend heard and then found a Kansas man who fell and died from the ledges behind them just a week or so later.

The trail is listed at 16 miles round trip and the early morning hours often before dawn is the usual time to start this hike if you are doing it in one day, but maybe he was going to hike up and camp overnight, which many people do by the boulder field or Chasm Lake on the front side before the Keyhole.

 

[ElementalLaura]

You are 100% correct - it's a bad idea to leave that late unless you're planning to camp overnight and summit the next morning. You are supposed to have a permit in order to camp off the trail (presumably that would have been mentioned if they had a record).

Here's a quick overview of Longs Peak:

10 Things to Know Before Hiking Longs Peak

I wish we knew a bit more about his background. In the photo, it looks like Coors Field in the background. Did he make the trip intending to climb Longs Peak, or was this a more spontaneous decision?

I've hiked Longs many times and have summited about a dozen times. A few times we came across hikers who had altitude sickness (splitting headache, nausea, dizziness) fueled by dehydration. A common theme was that the hikers had driven to Colorado from the Midwest, then pretty much made a beeline to Longs Peak and started hiking. I grew up in Indiana and appreciate the enthusiasm, but you do need time and conditioning to the altitude changes.

Add to this that the Clarks Arrow route is easily missed, and if you aren't planning on any technical climbing (down climbing), there are some startling drop-offs to navigate. I wouldn't want to do it alone or in fading light.

TLDR: He looks so enthusiastic in the photo! I fear he may have encountered conditions he wasn't prepared for, and he might be difficult to find if he was wearing the clothing described in the article. Still, this time of year is Grand Central Station on Longs, so hopefully someone will report having seen him on the trail.

My brother and his daughter climbed this peak years back. I recall them saying there were some frightening drop offs.

Leaving at 2:00 p.m. to climb a mountain seems like a bad idea. Especially with the summer thunderstorms that roll through that area in the afternoons. I hope they find him soon.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Yambert was possibly wearing a black raincoat, khaki pants and hat, sandals and a blue/gray backpack, the release stated. He may have been using trekking poles.

UPDATE: Search on for Urbana man missing in Colorado mountains

 

[Razz]

Yambert was possibly wearing a black raincoat, khaki pants and hat, sandals and a blue/gray backpack, the release stated. He may have been using trekking poles.



UPDATE: Search on for Urbana man missing in Colorado mountains

If he was seen on the hiking trail on Monday at 9 a.m., he must have camped out Sunday night. I wonder how far from the top he was.?

If he camped out on Sunday night, would he have carried a tent? Can you lug around stuff when climbing the mountain...beyond the Keyhole without it getting in the way?

 

[ElementalLaura]

Delete (Having issues with the page reloading)

This story keeps getting more curious. The article above links to a 2014 story about Jens getting lost (and found) on the same trail in 2014:


Rocky Mountain Journal: Lost Hiker Found in Longs Peak and Mount Meeker Area

 

[ElementalLaura]

If he was seen on the hiking trail on Monday at 9 a.m., he must have camped out Sunday night. I wonder how far from the top he was.?

If he camped out on Sunday night, would he have carried a tent? Can you lug around stuff when climbing the mountain...beyond the Keyhole without it getting in the way?

If he was planning to camp, he should have had a sleeping bag and tent or a bivy sack. If he were minimalist or into ultralight gear, that would easily fit into a daypack. Otherwise, people sometimes stow their gear where they camped & pick it up on the descent.

Here’s the Rocky Mountain National Park news release site:

News Releases - Rocky Mountain National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

They issued a second news release today about the search for Jens and the unrelated rescue of a woman who was seriously injured in a fall:

Search In Longs Peak Area Continues For Yambert Separate Rescue Effort Takes Place In Search Area - Rocky Mountain National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Of interest (BBM):

This morning search efforts continued for Jens “Jay” Yambert. After hearing about the search for Yambert, park staff have heard from visitors who saw Yambert on Monday morning, August 27, along the Keyhole Route. Visitors indicated that the weather was poor with ice, sleet, rain, and strong winds. Park staff greatly appreciate information that visitors are providing.

 

[doodles1211]

Delete (Having issues with the page reloading)

This story keeps getting more curious. The article above links to a 2014 story about Jens getting lost (and found) on the same trail in 2014:


Rocky Mountain Journal: Lost Hiker Found in Longs Peak and Mount Meeker Area

What the???
Maybe he was trying to redeem himself?

 

[cybervampira]

Man who went missing at RMNP this week was also reported missing in same area in 2014

The 60-year-old Illinois man who Rocky Mountain National Park rangers have been searching for this week also went missing in the same area in 2014.

 

[dalsglen]

These stories really give me the fear, I have to say, all you hikers/climbers are bloody nuts

If only he wore that same jacket as in your last link cyber.

 

[cybervampira]

Body found in Rocky Mountain National Park believed to be missing man

A search and rescue team said it found a body believed to be an Illinois man who had been reported missing.

They found the body Friday morning west of Keplinger’s Couloir at 12,600 feet in elevation, in extremely steep, rugged terrain. Recovery efforts will begin Saturday.

The Boulder County Coroner will make official identification after completion of an autopsy.

 

[Razz]

Ah, geez.

 

[MelmothTheLost]

Yambert was possibly wearing a black raincoat, khaki pants and hat, sandals and a blue/gray backpack, the release stated. He may have been using trekking poles.

Ye Gods .....

Sandals .....

 

[ElementalLaura]

Rest In Peace, Jens. You seemed to be seeking something on that mountain, and I hope you found it before you passed.

 

[jpo74]

Was he depressed? Maybe suicidal? Why wear sandals on a hike? And to learn a few yrs back he went missing and was found? Where and how?

 

[Razz]

Was he depressed? Maybe suicidal? Why wear sandals on a hike? And to learn a few yrs back he went missing and was found? Where and how?

How to Choose Hiking Sandals | Eastern Mountain Sports

 

[JerseyGirl]

RIP

Family: Carle doctor died on Colorado mountain as result of a fall

 

[MelmothTheLost]

Looking at Longs Peak in 3D on Google Maps, I really cannot see that sandals of any variety were suitable footwear for such high rocky terrain. For lowland footpaths, or very well worn trekking paths yes, but not where he appears to have been wearing them.

Google Maps

Here in the UK, the single biggest cause of mountain hiking emergencies is inadequate footwear, which generally means inadequate ankle support, or footwear with plastic (rather than vibram rubber) soles that do not give sufficient grip in wet conditions.

 

[cybervampira]

Boulder coroner's office: Body found in RMNP was missing hiker Jens 'Jay' Yambert

The body found in Rocky Mountain National Park on Aug. 31 was 60-year-old missing hiker Jens "Jay" Yambert of Urbana, Illinois, the Boulder County Coroner's Office confirmed Thursday.

The coroner's office completed an autopsy but said Yambert's cause and manner of death won't be released for another six to eight weeks after the autopsy is finalized.