Officials now on ‘recovery mission’ in search for lost Indiana man near Eiseman

The Eagle County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday evening issued a statement that search and rescue officials are now on a “recovery mission” for the body of missing hiker James McGrogan.

“After an exhausted search lasting five days, with no clues to locate James McGrogan, search and rescue efforts have now turned to a recovery mission,” the statement reads. “The thoughts and prayers of the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office and Vail Mountain Rescue Group go out to the McGrogan family.”

McGrogan, a 39-year-old Indiana doctor, disappeared after separating from his group Friday morning on a trip to Eiseman Hut north of Vail. McGrogan went on ahead of his three companions during a morning break.

When the other three reached the hut at 5:30 p.m., McGrogan wasn’t there, prompting a massive multi-agency search and rescue operation.