Anchorage Daily News

The National Park Service continued its search Friday for a missing Colorado climber on Mount McKinley but saw no sign of him.

Gerald Myers, 41, was last seen Tuesday as he was ascending the West Buttress of the 20,320-foot McKinley.

Searchers boarded a fixed-wing, twin-engine airplane Friday morning and afternoon to circle the top of the mountain and look for Myers. Rangers also sent a helicopter, said Maureen McLaughlin, park service spokeswoman.

Spotters were hoping for Myers or any sign of him, including lone foot tracks or his red jacket or black pants.

Previous reports from the Park Service were that Myers was last seen on Wednesday, near the summit of the mountain, but by Friday afternoon rangers were not confident of that information, McLaughlin said.

The airplane and helicopter spotters took aerial photographs, which were being blown up and technically manipulated back at park headquarters Friday night to see if there was anything the naked eye didn't see, McLaughlin said. By manipulating contrasts on the photos, rangers can more easily spot snow tracks. It's a technique the park service began using last year with pretty good success, she said.

Myers, a chiropractor from Centennial, Colo., had skis but little survival gear with him. Colorado friends say he had extensive climbing experience.

There are 411 climbers currently on the mountain. The last week of May and beginning of June is the busiest time to climb North America's tallest peak.

Find Megan Holland online at adn.com/contact/mholland or call 257-4343.

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