News Release

Recovery Efforts Completed For Jens “Jay” Yambert

Date: September 2, 2018
Contact: Kyle Patterson, Public Affairs Officer, [phone]
Contact: Park Information, [phone]

Jens “Jay” Yambert’s body was recovered this morning by helicopter from Rocky Mountain National Park. His body was transferred to the Boulder County Coroner’s Office.  Boulder County Coroner’s office will not release positive identification until completion of an autopsy.  However, it is believed that the body is that of Jens Yambert, 60, of Urbana, Illinois.
 
On Friday, August 31, Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue team members found Yambert west of Keplinger’s Couloir, below the Homestretch, at 12,600 feet in elevation. Yesterday, Saturday, September 1, team members performed a technical lower down approximately 50 feet of extremely steep terrain covered in loose scree just west of Keplinger’s couloir.  Yambert was lowered to a rock shelf area that was safer for long line operations via helicopter. The helicopter operations were completed at noon today. 
 
Initial investigations on scene indicate that Yambert took an approximate 200 foot tumbling fall and appears to have died instantly. 
    
On Tuesday, August 28, Rocky Mountain National Park rangers were notified by a family member that Yambertwas overdue.  Yambert is believed to have started from the Longs Peak Trailhead at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 26.  His rental car was found at the trailhead Tuesday night after park staff were notified by his family that he was overdue.  It was unknown what Yambert’s planned destination or route was.  After learning about the search for Yambert, park staff heard from visitors who saw Yambert on Monday morning, August 27, along the Keyhole Route.  Visitors indicated that the weather was poor with ice, sleet, rain, and strong winds. Extensive ground and aerial search efforts began for Yambert the morning of Wednesday, August 29, two days after he was last seen on the Keyhole Route.