Another Climbing Fatality In Rocky Mountain National Park

Park rangers were notified yesterday around 12:30 p.m. via cell phone that a 22-year-old male had fallen 30 feet while climbing Batman Pinnacle on Lumpy Ridge, a popular rock climbing area within the park. Minutes later people on scene started CPR on the victim. He did not recover.

His body is located approximately 2 miles from the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead in steep, rugged terrain with loose rock and scree. Since the incident, numerous severe thunderstorms have moved through the area with intense lightning and heavy rain causing wet, slick rocks. Due to the current conditions and location of the man's body, recovery efforts will take place today, weather permitting. Rangers planned to remain on the scene through the night.

The approach to Batman Pinnacle and Lightning Rock formations will be closed until recovery efforts are complete.

The man is from New Jersey but was currently living in Fort Collins. His body will be transferred to the Larimer County Coroner's Office. His name will not be released until next of kin are notified. No further information is available at this time.

Last week a man died while climbing the Keyhole Route on Longs Peak. The next day another climber suffered serious injuries after taking a 50-foot roped fall on the same mountain.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Fatality on Longs Peak This Morning

Rocky Mountain National Park rangers received a 911 call shortly after 8:00 a.m. this morning, reporting that a 24 year old male fell roughly 150 feet from The Narrows on the Keyhole Route on Longs Peak. Initial reports from bystanders indicated the man suffered multiple traumatic injuries. An off-duty park volunteer was in the area with a radio. He and his climbing party descended to the patient. The man survived the fall but later succumbed to his injuries. The group performed CPR but the man perished.

Park rangers began efforts to recover the man's body using a helicopter. Due to high winds the recovery operation was unable to take place this afternoon. Recovery efforts will take place tomorrow, weather permitting. The man's body will be transferred to the Boulder County Coroner's office. Sections of the Keyhole Route may be temporarily closed during air operations.

The man is from Springfield, Missouri. His name will be released when next of kin are notified.

Ice was present along several locations along the Keyhole Route at the time of the incident.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com