Saturday, November 23, 2024
33.0°F

Body of missing mountaineer found in Glacier National Park

by The Western News
| August 27, 2024 7:00 AM

The body of missing mountaineer Grant Marcuccio, a 32-year-old man from Whitefish, Montana, was found by Two Bear Air at approximately 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25.

Cause of death is still under investigation, but traumatic injuries and the location of the body are indicative of a fall. 

Two Bear Air spotted Marcuccio from the air. He was found one-third of a mile east of McPartland Peak below the ridgeline between Heavens Peak and McPartland Peak in extremely steep and rough terrain. Heavens Peak is nearly 9,000 feet high while McPartland is listed at just over 8,413 feet.

The body was transported to the Apgar horse corrals where Two Bear Air met the Flathead County coroner.   

Marcuccio was last seen by his hiking party at about 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18. Marcuccio separated from his party to summit McPartland Peak alone and planned to rendezvous at a designated location. Rangers were alerted by the hiking party on Sunday evening that Marcuccio never made it to the rendezvous spot.  

Two Bear Air and ground teams began searching on Monday, Aug. 19. U.S. Forest Service also flew over the area and dropped off ground searchers.  

According to nbcconneecticut.com, Marcuccio was a Wetherfield, Connecticut native.

Glacier National Park thanked North Valley and Flathead County Search and Rescue, the Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Flathead County Sheriff’s Department, Two Bear Air Rescue, National Park Service staff and members of the public who provided tips.