The body of Lt. Col. USAF Dan Wallick’s body was found after a three-day search on Challenger Point/Kit Carson Peak

On the evening of July 24, the Saguache County received a 911 call for an overdue hiker in the Kit Carson Peak/Challenger Point area.   Wallick,41, had intended to summit both peaks and was reported overdue by family members. 

Saguache County Search and Rescue requested assistance from multiple agencies on Thursday morning.  Search and Rescue teams search included the major trail systems and routes leading up to Kit Carson Peak and Challenger Point, two of Colorado’s 14ers.

On July, 27, Lt. Col. USAF Dan Wallick’s body was located, by a Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control helicopter. Due to the difficult terrain and deteriorating weather conditions, the search teams had to wait until the following day to recover Wallick’s body.

Assisting in the search were the Saguache County Search and Rescue, Baca Grande Volunteer Fire Department, Custer County Search and Rescue (CCSAR), Western Mountain Rescue Team, Fremont Search and Rescue, Douglas County Search and Rescue, Alpine Rescue Team, U.S. Forest Service, Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC), Colorado Search and Rescue (CSAR), leadership from his assigned command, as well as aerial assets from Flight for Life, Buckley Air Force Base Colorado Army National Guard.