A climber died Sunday after falling while climbing a prominent mountain 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 alerted 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 on scene, responders determined the climber had suffered injuries that could not be survived.
Responders reached the climber by 4 p.m. but determined the injuries were not survivable. (Mountain Rescue Aspen)
The fall was apparently witnessed by nearby hikers, including Rebecca Rees, who recounted the incident in a statement posted to Facebook.
“Unfortunately, we witnessed the event. It has been an extremely sad and terrible afternoon for all involved. He did not survive,” she said.
Rees said a bystander, identified as Robert, even scrambled toward the climber immediately after the fall, putting himself at risk in case there was still a chance of survival.
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.