Fall Victim's Body Recovered on Longs

Sad news from "the Park."

The body of a Colorado Springs climber, Lucas Macaj, 23, has been recovered on Mills Glacier, near the base of Lamb’s Slide. He's been missing since last weekend, and any peak-watcher knew what the sad outcome would be.

Lambs is a wide couloir on looker's left of the east face.

While it's steep-ish, it is generally not associated with accidents like this—making this accident seem all the more tragic.

Mountain folks across Colorado have been following this story for a week.

Indeed, the outpouring of love for Mr. Macaj makes it all the more gut-wrenching.

"Rest in Peace Lucas Peter Macaj, the love of my life," wrote one friend. "It hurts so bad to know that you were taken from me so early. All I have is our memories to move me forward and the thought that I will see you again one day. My thoughts keep swirling with the 'what Ifs' surrounding that hike."

So, why am I reporting this death and recovery?

Because Lucas, like a lot of you, is dearly beloved.

And the number of rescue/SAR personnel is quite huge. They put their lives on the line for all of us who play in the mountains.

"Flight for Life Air Ambulance, the State of Colorado Department of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC), and Colorado Army National Guard assisted with air reconnaissance operations," according to a NPS statement. "Also assisting were the Colorado Search and Rescue Association (CSAR), Search and Rescue Dogs of the United States, Larimer County SAR Dog Team, assisted by Boulder County Sheriff Dog Team, as well as Park County SAR Dog Team and El Paso County SAR Dog Team."

I don't have an exact number, but clearly dozens of people worked on this accident.

So let's try and be safe out there this summer.

There are hundreds of online resources available to mountain climbers and other outdoor adventurers. Please use them and get yourself prepared this summer.