There’s some weirdness in this story, but also… this is Colorado. This was Leadville. This was Mt Elbert.
People go up there and come back 2 days later, and that’s not unusual. People do things like Nolan’s 14. They stash cars as supply depots on ultra runs. They drop cars off as a shuttle (ie, drive four hours away, and hike back to the first car, then get the second car a day or two later). They go backcountry for days, camping out and trying to be alone. We have BLM land where you don’t need a permit for dispersed camping, so no one really knows where you are. There are spots where you get no cell service for hours of hiking time. Not everyone on crazy adventures even has folk looking or waiting for them. Yes, that’s best practice. But not everyone’s practice.
I like that the hotel was worried enough to report him late. My brief touches with Lake County SAR have been good - they are great folks truly trying to help others out. I have a COSAR card. Most folk in the high country look out for one another, but they also will leave each other alone a lot.
Except for ignoring texts, this guy’s behavior isn’t all that odd up here.
note - I once tried to hike Mt Elbert, ended up back at the car 16 hours later, having come 200 feet from the summit and failed to get there.
