Search for missing climber underway in Glacier Park

The search for a missing mountaineer in Glacier National Park entered its third day Wednesday. Crews focused on a section of rugged alpine terrain near Heavens Peak, where park authorities used helicopters and ground crews to find Grant Robert Marcuccio, 32, of Whitefish.

Marcuccio, who has been missing since Sunday, reportedly split from his group around noon with the goal of crossing the ridge from Heavens Peak to McPartland Mountain. The four peaks form a chain that separates the Camas and McDonald Creeks and stretches from the source of Lake McDonald to its northern end at Heavens Peak.

All routes to Heavens Peak involve a long day of off-trail hiking with an elevation gain of approximately 1,500 meters.

Marcuccio was last seen heading toward McPartland Mountain, but did not arrive at the meeting point as planned, according to park officials. Rangers were alerted on Sunday evening.

Search crews are currently looking for a man they describe as Caucasian with short brown hair and brown eyes, who is 6 feet tall and weighs about 175 pounds, according to a Glacier National Park news release Wednesday morning. He may be wearing brown shorts and a brown and white checkered shirt, the news release said.

Two Bear Air Rescue began flying over the Heavens Peak area on Monday. Rangers and search teams searched the area on Tuesday while Two Bear Air flew over the area again. A U.S. Forest Service helicopter helped bring search teams to the area on Wednesday and will also fly over the area to search for Marcuccio.

Anyone with information or who has been in the area and seen a person matching the description is asked to contact the park’s tip line at (406) 888-7077.

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