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Helicopter during the search operation in 1983
Photo: AP
38 years after the disappearance of a 27-year-old German in Rocky Mountain National Park (US state Colorado), the authorities consider the case to be solved.
It is believed that bone fragments found in the mountain region can be assigned to the missing person, the park authority said on Thursday.
The German, who lived in Fort Collins, set out on a multi-day ski tour in February 1983.
Six days later he was reported missing by a roommate, the message said.
Snowfall in the region hindered the search for the tourer at the time.
Fort Collins is a little north of the metropolis of Denver.
Immediately to the west rise the mountain ranges of the Rocky Mountains.
During the search, the teams only came across a snow cave with his sleeping bag, equipment and provisions.
Avalanche dogs were also used.
Further searches in the spring and summer of the year were unsuccessful.
In August 2020, a hiker came across human bones in the region.
Further search operations could not be carried out because of escalating forest fires in the area, as the police announced.
After that, new snowfall made operations at high altitudes impossible.
Avalanche suspected as a possible cause
In another search this summer, park rangers discovered skis, sticks, ski boots and other personal items that, according to the park administration, should have belonged to the German.
Identification based on dental impressions has not yet produced a definitive result.
Nevertheless, the authorities are already assuming that the case has been resolved.
The remains are to be transferred to Germany as soon as possible.
According to the current status, there were indications of an earlier avalanche at the site.
It is located at an altitude of more than 3300 meters in an area that is difficult to access.
jok / dpa
