Big Sky, MT –Searchers on Friday located what are believed to be the ski poles of a Montana man missing since failing to return from a backcountry ski expedition in March.

Brad Gardner, 24, originally of Winter Haven, Fla., disappeared March 9 while skiing in the area of Chippewa Ridge on Lone Peak in Big Sky. Gardner’s father, who found the poles on a 500-foot cliff in Lone Lake Cirque on Lone Peak, indicated that the poles found are of the same brand, size and color as those used by his son. The discovery was confirmed by Madison County Sheriff’s deputies via helicopter.

The location of the poles has allowed searchers to narrow the area in which they’re looking for Gardner’s body, an area below the cliffs still buried by 10 feet of snow. Sheriff’s officials indicate that if Gardner’s body is in the area, it may take until the snow melts to locate it.