George Johnson Missing Person Case

Mar 14, 2018

Jun 14, 2024

George

Johnson

42

34

69 inches

165 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

In early March 2018, the climbing community was closely following the ambitious ascent of 34-year-old George Ryan Johnson, an experienced climber from Juneau, Alaska, and his partner, 25-year-old Marc-André Leclerc from British Columbia. The two highly respected alpinists were attempting a new, challenging route on the north face of the Mendenhall Towers, a series of seven prominent rock peaks on the Juneau Icefield. On March 5, after successfully reaching the summit of the main tower, Leclerc posted a triumphant photo on social media, capturing the breathtaking view. This was the last communication received from the climbers, who were expected to return from their expedition by March 7. When Johnson and Leclerc failed to return as planned, they were reported overdue, and a search and rescue operation was initiated. The efforts were immediately hampered by severe weather, including a significant snowstorm and freezing temperatures, which created dangerous conditions and limited visibility for search crews. Responders from Alaska State Troopers, Juneau Mountain Rescue, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Army National Guard participated in the six-day search. An initial flight on March 8 located a cache of their gear not needed for the final ascent, including skis and a backpack, at the base of the mountain. However, worsening weather conditions repeatedly grounded helicopters, stalling the search for several days. A break in the weather on Tuesday, March 13, allowed searchers to fly to the north face of the towers. There, they discovered an intact anchor rope at the top of an ice chute on the fourth tower and, tragically, two climbing ropes in a crevasse midway down. The ropes and gear matched the description of what the two men were carrying. Due to the circumstances and the significant avalanche danger, authorities concluded that a recovery effort was not feasible and the search was officially called off on March 14. Both George Ryan Johnson and Marc-André Leclerc are presumed to have perished during their descent, likely as the result of a fall, an avalanche, or rockfall. The climbing world mourned the loss of two of its most talented and spirited athletes, who were known for pushing the boundaries of the sport. The search for their remains was suspended in November 2018, though the case remains open should new information emerge.

Mar 05, 2018

Juneau

Alaska

Juneau Borough

No

32630

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

AK18015499

2018-03-07

Alaska State Troopers

na

Brown

Brown

Brown

07/15/2026