by Cailey McDermott

The body of Wayne Kirkbride, 61 of Monument, missing since Sunday evening, was found about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in a steep, rocky area near Cascade Falls on 14,269-foot Mount Antero.

Chaffee County Undersheriff John Spezze reported Kirkbride, a retired U.S. Army Special Forces lieutenant colonel, was spotted by a U.S. Army helicopter search pilot.

Chaffee County Search and Rescue teams, assisted by several other agencies, were directed to the body from the air. They confirmed identity of the body and announced to other searchers he was dead.

Spezze reported preliminary observation suggests Kirkbride fell from the crest of a steep slope. Time of death had not been determined by late Tuesday afternoon.

Because the body is in steep, rocky terrain, Spezze said extrication will be difficult, requiring a specialized team. That operation will begin early today, he said.

Spezze said six search and rescue teams, five search dogs and the helicopter aided in the search all day Monday and most of Tuesday.

Kirkbride began his climb of the peak about 1:15 p.m. Sunday, Spezze said.

Kirkbride’s wife, Melanie, told searchers Sunday his intention was to summit the peak and return to Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort where they were staying. When he hadn’t returned late Sunday, she called the sheriff’s office.

Rescuers began searching Monday morning. Kirkbride’s locked car was found on Cascade Hill by deputies.

Melanie described her husband as an “exceptionally skilled outdoorsman” who has completed 18 climbs of 14,000-foot peaks.

He was adequately equipped with a backpack, food, water and extra clothing, she said.

Spezze said Kirkbride was in shape (and) trained in survival skills.

More than 34 people participated in the search Tuesday.

They included members of search and rescue teams from Chaffee, Summit and Lake counties; Front Range Rescue Dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs of Colorado, the U.S. Army, Buena Vista Correctional Facility, Chaffee County Emergency Medical Services, Chaffee County Emergency Management and Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office.