Searchers Look For Missing Climber From The Air

PITKIN COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - Crews started searching by air for a missing mountain climber who had plans to climb Pyramid Peak and Maroon and North Maroon Peak last week.

According to the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office, David Cook, 49, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, planned to climb Pyramid Peak on Sept. 19, and then climb Maroon and North Maroon Peak on Sept. 20.

"Mr. Cook, a former Marine, was described as an expert mountaineer and climber with a wealth of experience," the sheriff's office said in a statement.

Searchers continue to get information from the public with sightings of a man matching Cook's description. He was wearing a blue hiking helmet with khaki pants, a dark shirt, blue jacket, black baseball hat and carrying a black backpack.

A concerned person called authorities after not hearing from Cook by the evening on Sept. 20. A receipt was found in his car "indicating that he arrived at the Maroon Bells entrance station on Sept. 19."

An aerial search last Thursday was suspended because of strong winds.

Searches were also conducted over the weekend.