Body of Colorado Springs-based airman found in Sangre de Cristos
The Custer County Search and Rescue team is reporting that crews have found the body of a missing Air Force officer in the Sangre de Cristo mountains.
Lt. Col. Dan Wallick, 41, was reported missing on July 24. His family called authorities when he didn’t return home, saying he was hiking Kit Carson Peak and Challenger Point (both above 12,000 feet) when he last spoke to them.
A team made up of several agencies began searching the area on July 25. Lt. Col. Wallick’s body was spotted from a Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control helicopter on July 27. The mission to recover his body had to be postponed until the next day due to difficult terrain and bad weather in the area.
“The terrain itself in thar area is very hazardous,” said Patrick Fiore with Custer County Search and Rescue. “There are a lot of cliffs and loose rock. Plus it’s in the middle of the monsoon season right now so it’s pretty consistent to have a thunderstorm coming around 1 or 2 p.m..”
Where Wallick was found is no stranger to search and rescue. Since, 2017 Custer County Search and Rescue have been called to 4 incidents in that 1/4 mile radius near Challenger Point and Kit Carson Peak. Two of those incidents concluded in fatalities, both occurring just this past month. In all the incidents, the hikers were alone.
In the two incidents in 2017 and 2018 that resulted in rescues, hikers say they were descending off the route.
“It is key for people to stay on route,” said Fiore. “Once you get above Challenger Point it’s really not much of a trail. You just follow cairns.”
At this time, it’s unclear how Lt. Col. Wallick died. He was stationed out of Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado Springs. Memorial plans are pending.
The investigation is ongoing.
This is a developing story. Stay with KRDO Newschannel 13 for the latest information.
Earlier coverage:
An active duty Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force stationed at Schriever Air Force Base has been missing since Wednesday, according to Custer County Search and Rescue.
Lt. Col. Dan Wallick, 41, was last known to be hiking Kit Carson after summiting Challenger Point in the Sangre de Christo Mountains.
He failed to return from his trip Wednesday, July 24. According to Search and Rescue officials, Wallick could be wearing a black or navy blue raincoat, a blue short-sleeved T-shirt, an orange long-sleeved shirt, and olive green pants.
The search continued Sunday on the ground and in the air. Participating Search and Rescue agencies include Fremont County, Saguache County, Custer County, and Western Mountain Rescue Team as well as air support from Flight for Life and Buckley Air Force Base Colorado Army National Guard.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Saguache County Sheriff’s Department at 719-655-2544.
