In October 2018, the family of Ryan Albert grew concerned when he did not return home when expected, after a trip to Longs Peak. Albert was reportedly last seen on October 4 by another park visitor, near the Granite Pass area, heading toward The Keyhole on Longs Peak. Search efforts for the missing hiker began in Rocky Mountain National Park on October 5, however crews were facing extremely hazardous conditions during the first two days, due to a winter storm. Eight days after Albert was last seen, there was finally a break in the weather, allowing search teams to use footage from a helicopter to investigate the higher elevations, although another significant snow storm quickly rolled in, making conditions treacherous again.

On Saturday, May 25, a team of two Rocky Mountain National Park climbing rangers were conducting a patrol of Longs Peak. While patrolling the section known as The Trough, the rangers came across a glove that matched the brand that Ryan Albert was believed to have been wearing. On May 30, a team of four, highly skilled park climbing rangers searched the steep, winter alpine terrain of The Trough and located what they believe to be the body of Ryan Albert, at an elevation of approximately 12,300'. He was covered in deep snow and ice, but rangers completed an investigation on-scene and his body was transported by helicopter to the Boulder County Coroner’s Office. A positive identification won't be released until the autopsy is completed.

Those assisting Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue team members during the previous search efforts in October were Larimer County Search and Rescue, Rocky Mountain Rescue based in Boulder County, Trans Aero, Northern Colorado Interagency Helitack and Colorado Search and Rescue Board members. When conditions allowed, dog teams from Larimer County Search and Rescue, Rocky Mountain Rescue and Front Range Search and Rescue Dogs also assisted.

More From Power 102.9 NoCo - KARS-FM