An experienced 32 year old climber from nearby Whitefish, Montana remains missing on Thursday afternoon, his last known whereabouts being the steep traverse between Heavens Peak (8,987 feet) and McPartland Peak (8,413 feet) just north of McDonald Lake in the heart of Glacier National Park.
The climber, Grant Marcuccio, separated from the group with whom he had been climbing on Sunday and failed to meet up at a later rendezvous point. The traverse is just miles north of the popular Lake McDonald Lodge (and likely visible from parts of the recreation area), but the route itself is both technical and off-trail. The two mountains join Stanton Mounain (7,750 feet) and Mount Vaught (8,850 feet) along a ridgeline that separates Camas Creek to the north and McDonald Creek to the south.
As noted by the Flathead Beacon, search operations reached their third day on Wednesday, with Two Bear Air sending flights over the area in conjunction with a US Forest Service helicopter.
If you’re in the area and think you can help, it’s still best to stay out of the area and let search and rescue do their work.
“We would advise people to not join in the search because of the nature of the terrain, and also because it can turn into a hindrance more than a help,” Glacier Park Spokesperson Autumn Sifuentes said Wednesday. “It can create more trouble.”
Per an Instagram post by user @aboringphoto with knowledge of both the updated situation (and who is in contact with Grant’s family), his backpack was spotted on the south face of Heavens Peak, a Class 5 rated face.
Both ground and air Search and Rescue were expected to continue looking for him today.
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