On Monday, August 26, 2024, at approximately 11:30 a.m., the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a call regarding an overdue camper. The 36-year-old male was reportedly hiking and camping in the area of Lake Isabelle, in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, accessed from the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. The camper was due to return the morning of August 26. When he did not check-in or show up, family members reported him missing.

The missing male’s vehicle was located in the parking lot at Brainard Lake, prompting Boulder County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services to initiate a search. Based on reports from the family as well as using information from the missing party’s Garmin GPS device, a search was conducted in the area with ground searchers, dog teams, and a helicopter. Search teams located a deceased male, believed to be the missing party near Shoshoni Peak at approximately 5:30 p.m. on August 26.

Due to the remote location and technical terrain, it was unsafe to conduct the recovery operation that night. Rescue teams returned on August 27, 2024, to conduct the recovery. Rescuers from Rocky Mountain Rescue Group assisted by a helicopter from the Colorado Department of Fire Prevention and Control were able to recover the deceased male and transport him to investigators from the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office and the Boulder County Coroner’s Office.

The Boulder County Coroner’s Office will determine the identification of the climber, as well as the cause and manner of death. At this time, the death does not appear to be suspicious in nature.

Agencies assisting with this rescue effort included: Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Boulder Emergency Squad, Colorado Search and Rescue Association, Colorado Department of Fire Prevention and Control, Front Range Rescue Dogs, Medevac, and Rocky Mountain Rescue Group.

The associated Boulder County Sheriff’s Office case number is: #24-04366.