Search-and-rescue crews continued to comb the verdant hills, mountains and valleys of Glacier National Park on Wednesday for an experienced climber reported missing Sunday.

The missing man was identified as Grant Marcuccio, 32, from the small city of Whitefish, Montana, less than 30 miles west of the park, the National Park Service said in a statement Wednesday.

He left his hiking group while it was traveling on foot from Heavens Peak to McPartland Peak — both are higher than 8,000 feet — and he did not appear at a rendezvous spot, it said.

He had planned to summit both peaks, the park service said.

“He was last seen heading toward McPartland,” the National Park Service said.

Marcuccio was reported missing Sunday night, it said.

It was not clear what could have taken Marcuccio off course. National Weather Service data shows Glacier National Park enjoying a temperature range from lows in the low 50s to highs in the 80s, with light winds and a trace of precipitation measured at times since Sunday.

The search has included park rangers, other search-and-rescue crews, overflights by private search-and-rescue contractor Two Bear Air Rescue and a U.S. Forest Service helicopter crew, the park service said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com

HELENA — Mosquitoes are the bane of many camping trips and outdoor BBQs. With the West Nile Virus now detected in mosquitoes here in Montana, there’s even more reason to protect yourself and your loved ones from these pesky creatures.

West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitoes in 4 counties in Montana. The virus was found in 6 pools in Blaine, Dawson, Prairie, and Wibaux counties.

“Those pools have been tested as positive, not a human case or an equine case,” says Jill Allen, who works in Boulder District 1 in Jefferson County as a Mosquito Coordinator.

She’s noticed the mosquito population decreased this season in comparison to previous years. She attributes this to late freezes, low snowpack, and hot, dry temperatures in July.

“We haven’t had nearly the amount of volume of mosquitoes as we have had in past years,” says Allen.

Allen says that while she tackles mosquito mitigation on public and private lands, it’s essential to do your part to help decrease hatching pools through the summer and early fall. Mosquitoes can persist as late as October.

“Any type of a container or area in their yard that can allow water to pool, as well as any tall vegetation in the evening or in the daytime hours, that’s where the mosquitoes will hunker down for the daytime hours in the heat,” says Allen.

West Nile Virus can be fatal in some, so using repellent with DEET is essential when you’re headed outside. Allen also says that mosquitoes are attracted to dark-colored clothes.

Nina Heinzinger, Licensed Establishment Program Supervisor with Lewis and Clark Public Health, says it can be helpful to abide by the 4 D’s when dealing with mosquitoes. These include avoiding or taking precautions at dawn and dusk, using DEET, dressing appropriately by wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and draining standing water.

“If you can avoid getting bit by a mosquito, you can avoid getting West Nile Virus along with other diseases that may be carried by mosquitoes,” says Heinzinger.

Every week day, we ask Montanan’s a question and like good participants, they respond with some of the best answers. Some sarcastic, but for the most part, the answers are super helpful.

Montanan’s love an abundant of things about their state, but I found the top 5 answers and couldn’t agree more!

Here are the Top 5 Things Montanan’s Love About Fall

Leaves changing throughout the mountains. This is such an incredible site. Especially when driving to Livingston, heading through the pass, it’s hard to focus as you are surrounded by some of the most beautiful views. Your eyes have a hard time not starring in awe of all of the red and orange leaves surrounding you. It’s beautiful to put it mildly.

Football, football, and more football. Our MSU Bobcats are about to kick off the season and that alone makes me think fall is closer than it may seem. Let’s get ready to cheer on our Cats this Saturday!

Pumpkin everything. Now you either love pumpkin spice season or you hate it. I personally love it, but I can see how some people are over it. I mean do we need pumpkin spice toothpaste? No. But once pumpkin spice flavors hit the shelves, we know the leaves are going to start changing.

Bonfires and blankets. There is nothing better than sitting in a circle with a group of your favorite people, listening to the bonfire pop as one log burns down and you look to add another. Making memories, singing along to the music in the background, and telling that one friend we all have, that they don’t need to be that close to the fire and “no we don’t need more wood”.

Fall harvest. The smell of finishing up your crops, the dew on the leaves in the early morning hours, and knowing that you have accomplished another successful farming season is not only an incredible smell, but also an incredible feeling. The smell of the combine pushing through field after field is a smell that brings me home.

Fall is just around the corner and I think I am ready for it, especially after all of these feel good reminders about why it is so perfect.