The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Flown to Denver with severe injuries
A 28-year-old woman visiting the Gunnison Valley fell more than 100 feet while climbing above Harmel’s in Taylor Canyon on Saturday, June 4, sustaining severe injuries. She was flown to Denver for treatment.
“No one saw the complete fall, so we’re not sure what caused it,” said Scott Jackson, patrol lieutenant of the Gunnison County Sherriff’s Office. “It wasn’t a rope break or a cut or anything like that. We’re not sure if it was mishandling of equipment or what happened.”
An experienced climber, the woman and her boyfriend reportedly climbed two pitches before repelling down to the ground.
“The boyfriend came down, then she was rappelling down the first pitch and at some point in time fell from there. We’re guessing 100 to 150 feet,” Jackson said.
Search and Rescue was not required; Jackson and the ambulance crew were able to reach the climber directly for transport to Gunnison Valley Hospital (GVH). According to GVH CEO Randy Phelps, the woman sustained a pelvic fracture and a broken right leg and ankle.
“Within two hours she was heading for Denver Health in critical but stable condition,” Phelps said. No information was available regarding the woman’s current condition.
