Rock climber badly hurt after fall needed hours-long rescue, Colorado officials say
A rock climber was badly injured after a fall in Colorado, prompting an hours long rescue at Eldorado Canyon State Park over the weekend, authorities say.
Rescuers responded Saturday, March 26, to reports that a climber had fallen near the Xanadu route on the West Ridge of the sprawling state park, Boulder County sheriff’s deputies said in a news release. They hiked to the area and found the climber on the ground with “severe injuries.”
Authorities did not say how far the climber fell, but elevations in the park range between 5,800 and 8,800 feet, according to the Colorado State Parks website.
McClatchy News reached out to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office on Monday, March 28, and was awaiting a response.
It took rescuers roughly 25 minutes to reach the climber and three hours to complete the rescue, officials said.
“The 36-year-old climber from Longmont was stabilized and then carried approximately one-half mile downhill to an ambulance and transported to a Boulder area hospital,” the release reads.
No other injuries were reported.
Eldorado Canyon State Park spans more than 1,440 acres and offers visitors over 500 “technical rock climbing routes, luring climbers from around the world to challenge their skills on ‘Eldo’s’ golden cliffs,” according to the park’s website. Skiing and snowshoeing are also offered in the winter.
The injured climber’s condition was unknown as of March 28. The Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, Eldorado State Park and Mountain View Fire Protection District also assisted in the rescue.
Eldorado Canyon State Park closed to visitors March 27 due to a nearby wildfire.
This story was originally published March 28, 2022 at 10:31 AM with the headline "Rock climber badly hurt after fall needed hours-long rescue, Colorado officials say."