Climber dies after fall from towering 14,000-foot mountain summit in Colorado

THE TAKEAWAY

• A climber fell from a 14,000-foot mountain summit over the weekend.
• It happened in Aspen, which is a vibrant mountain town set in the Rocky Mountains.
• Nearly two dozen people assisted with rescue operations.

ASPEN, COLORADO – A climber has died after falling from a massive mountain summit at a popular hiking destination near Aspen, Colorado, over the weekend.

Mountain Rescue Aspen said the Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office was notified that a climber had fallen on the north face of Castle Peak around 1 p.m. on Sunday. The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office was also called in to help due to the location of the incident.

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Authorities said they deployed team members to the upper Montezuma parking lot while a helicopter located the climber from the air.

The helicopter — called Flight for Life — retrieved more personnel to help with the rescue and a little before 4 p.m., crews determined the climber had sustained deadly injuries.

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Authorities said they extracted the climber from the mountain using a technical lowering system. Nearly two dozen people assisted with the rescue.

The climber’s identity is unknown at this time. Mountain Rescue Aspen and the local sheriff’s office are encouraging anyone traveling in the back country to be prepared, familiarize themselves with their route and conditions and understand the limits of their experience and abilities.

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Aspen is best known as a luxury ski destination and a vibrant mountain town set high in the Rocky Mountains.

Castle Peak is the ninth-highest summit of the Rocky Mountains and is known as a 14er. Climbing these large mountain summits is one of the most popular outdoor activities in the state.