A significant four-day search for a man from New Hampshire, who went missing in the Rocky Mountains, ended in tragedy earlier this week.
Following his arrival in Colorado on June 10, he began a hiking trip on Pikes Peak the next day. His plan was to return home by June 12, but he never made it back.
Pikes Peak, standing at 14,110 feet, is one of the highest peaks in the United States.
Hardy’s family reported him missing on June 13, prompting a joint search and rescue effort from the El Paso County and Teller County Sheriff’s Offices.
The search included K-9 units and drones deployed to locate him. Unfortunately, on Monday, hikers found Hardy’s body near the summit of Pikes Peak in El Paso County.
Authorities have stated that foul play is not suspected. They described his situation as a tragic consequence of the natural challenges he faced.
El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal extended condolences to Hardy’s family, acknowledging that this was not the outcome anyone wished for. He expressed gratitude for the dedication shown by over 100 volunteers and local agencies during the search, which was conducted under various weather conditions.
In a release, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office indicated that the Army Reserves assisted in recovering Hardy’s body. Captain Britney Tingstrom, a spokesperson for the 11th Expeditionary Combat Air Brigade, mentioned that their aviation units supported the recovery operation in collaboration with local authorities.
Currently, the Sheriffs’ Office is continuing its investigation, and the county coroner is expected to confirm Hardy’s identity soon.
