MHS student, 17, found dead in Black Canyon

Robert Allen

Daily Press Writer

MONTROSE — A female Montrose High School student, 17, was found dead about 1,200 feet below the Gunnison Point overlook at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park on Saturday morning.

A helicopter flew in from Durango yesterday, picking up park rangers Ryan Thrush and Brent Mims, and climbing volunteer Nick Wasser, to help recover the body. After more than two hours of work, the operation was postponed until Sunday morning, Paul Zaenger, supervisory park ranger, said.

“In order to maintain safety for the rangers that are down there, we can’t rush the situation,” he said.

The crew spent the night camping on the rocky canyon floor. The body, which landed about 600 feet from the bottom, was belayed down to about 200 feet by sunset Saturday. Once the crew has moved it to the bottom, the helicopter will return for retrieval.

Conditions between the body and the canyon floor consist of ice and snow over loose rock, Zaenger said.

Park ranger Alison Carlyle noticed a white Ford Taurus parked near the visitor center when she arrived there about 8 a.m. Saturday. She observed that something was wrong and called police shortly afterward, Zaenger said.

Friday evening, Carlyle saw the vehicle during a stargazing party. Therefore, it is presumed the girl fell sometime between when the visitor center closed at 4 p.m., and when Carlyle arrived the next morning.

Details regarding time and cause of death will be revealed, pending an autopsy by county coroner Dr. Thomas Canfield.

The family has been notified and the name has not been released because the victim is a juvenile.

The entrance to the park is never locked, as people often come in at late hours to walk under full moons or stargaze, Zaenger said.

Contact Robert Allen via e-mail at roberta@montrosepress.com