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Date: May 24, 2009
Contact: Maureen McLaughlin, (907) 733-9103
Contact: Kris Fister, (907) 683-9583

In the ongoing search for missing climber Dr. Gerald Myers, aerial spotters on board two U.S. Army Chinook helicopters were unable to view elevations above 17,000 feet on Sunday, May 24.  Strong winds and intermittent clouds during the morning and early afternoon precluded safe search coverage of the more probable zones high on Mt. McKinley.  The park’s A-Star B3 was similarly unable to fly the zones safely on Sunday.  Due to flight duty day restrictions, no more flights will occur Sunday evening.  The U.S. Army Chinook crews will remain overnight in Talkeetna and are prepared to resume the aerial search early on Monday, May 25.

Dr. Myers began his summit bid from the 14,200-foot camp the morning of Tuesday, May 19, and is considered to have travelled with minimal survival gear. He was sighted above Denali Pass (18,200-feet) later that afternoon.  An individual climber was observed on the summit ridge the afternoon of Wednesday, May 20, although it cannot be confirmed as Dr. Myers.