Hiker falls to his death near Harmel’s Ranch

Local SARs respond

By Adam Broderick

A 22-year-old man died while hiking in Taylor Canyon on Tuesday, July 28. He was with three friends when he lost his footing and fell.

Mike Kingsbury, team leader for Crested Butte Search and Rescue (CBSAR), said the party was scrambling on a high buttress near Harmel’s Guest Ranch in Taylor Canyon. “The patient lost his footing and fell an estimated 60 feet. He suffered life-ending injuries.”

Gunnison Valley Health EMS Director Erik Forsythe said the man was dead when EMS arrived. “We responded as a mutual aid request, with 12 team members,” Forsythe said. “Western Mountain Rescue Team retained incident command. It’s their district and they were first on scene. We assisted with one of the technical lowering systems during the recovery effort.”

No names were released as of Wednesday, July 29, but Forsythe said the patient was a seasonal summer employee in the valley.

Western’s team, GVH EMS and CBSAR were all involved in the recovery. Forsythe said it’s not uncommon for the agencies to work together. “We have some different ways of doing things but those differences also compliment each other. A lot of their guys take off for the summer, so we work together.”