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Officials in Colorado said a climber suffered a fatal fall Sunday after scaling a towering peak south of Aspen.
The tragic incident occurred on Castle Peak, which reaches a steep elevation of 14,272 feet in the Elk Mountains, according to Mountain Rescue Aspen.
Responders said rescue team members reached the climber by 4 p.m. after the Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a fallen climber.
However, officials “determined the individual had sustained injuries that were not survivable.”
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Responders reached the climber by 4 p.m. but determined the injuries could not be survived. (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.
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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.
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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)
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“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.
