A climber died Sunday after falling on a high-altitude peak south of Aspen, Colorado officials said.
The fatal accident happened on Castle Peak, a 14,272-foot summit in the Elk Mountains, according to Mountain Rescue Aspen.
Rescue crews were dispatched after the Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a fallen climber, and team members reached the person by 4 p.m., officials said.
Once there, responders determined the climber had suffered injuries that “were not survivable.”
Rescue crews reached the climber by 4 p.m., but officials said the injuries were fatal. (Mountain Rescue Aspen)
Nearby hikers apparently saw the fall unfold, including Rebecca Rees, who described the incident in a statement shared on Facebook.
“Unfortunately, we witnessed the event. It has been an extremely sad and terrible afternoon for all involved. He did not survive,” Rees said.
Rees said one bystander, identified as Robert, immediately scrambled toward the fallen climber, risking his own safety in case there was still any chance to help.
She added that the victim ultimately “wasn’t alone” in his final moments.
Nearby hikers reportedly witnessed the fall at Castle Peak, south of Aspen. (Mountain Rescue Aspen)
Rees said the rescue crew responded at a commendable speed. Despite the remote location, helicopter and ground teams reportedly reached nearly 13,000 feet in under two hours on a holiday weekend.
According to Mountain Rescue Aspen, officials used off-highway vehicles and helicopters to reach the remote area.
After a helicopter located the fallen climber, it returned to Aspen to pick up additional rescue personnel before taking them to the high-elevation area near the peak.
Officials said the climber was recovered from the mountain shortly after 8 p.m. (Mountain Rescue Aspen)
A total of 21 rescue members were sent into the field, and officials safely recovered and evacuated the deceased climber from the mountain shortly after 8 p.m.
Rees said the responders showed extraordinary compassion throughout the recovery effort.
The rescue operation unfolded at elevations approaching 13,000 feet. (Mountain Rescue Aspen)
“The response of search and rescue, the sheriff, and the coroner all made us feel like every single person matters. This young man had a story and we all care,” she said.
