17 replies to this topic

[Swimswithtrout]

KUSA Denver is reporting of a 28 year old man falling 150' near "The Narrows". They diverted one of the helicopters fighting the fire and flew a Ranger to the summit where he was able to downclimb and make contact with the victim.

Breaking News Link

[Rhonda]

Yikes. Hope he's ok.

And this WOULD happen prior to the "Get Bill Up The Hill" expedition. Not that I'm going anyway, but just thinking of the nerves......

[Mr. Jinks]

I assume there is still snow in the Narrows.

[Aaron]

At approximately 2:00 p.m. today in Rocky Mountain National Park, park rangers were notified by cellular phone that a 28- year-old male took a reported 150 foot fall south and west of The Narrows on Longs Peak.  This is on the very northern end of the Keyboard of The Winds.  A ranger was flown to the summit of Longs Peak by a helicopter that was assisting with operations in the Cow Creek Fire. The ranger hiked down to the man, reaching him at 4:07 p.m.  The man's injuries are being assessed, he is conscious and appears to be in stable condition.   Rangers are currently evaluating patient evacuation options.   No other information will be released at this time.

View the full article

[Aaron]

Photo and update from rescue....



At approximately 2:00 p.m. today in Rocky Mountain National Park, park rangers were notified by cellular phone that a 28- year-old male from Fraser, Colorado, took a reported 150 foot fall south and west of The Narrows on Longs Peak. This is on the very northern end of the Keyboard of The Winds. A ranger was flown to the summit of Longs Peak by a helicopter that was assisting with operations in the Cow Creek Fire. The ranger hiked down to the man, reaching him at 4:07 p.m. The man was conscious and in stable condition with numerous injuries.

Park rangers utilized a short-haul helicopter and team from Grand Teton National Park serving as a resource assigned to the Cow Creek Fire. This team is assigned to the fire in the event a firefighter is injured and needs to be evacuated from the remote area of the fire. At 7:00 p.m. a line was attached from the helicopter to an attendant. The patient and attendant were flown via short-haul from the patient's location to the Boulderfield on Longs Peak at 7:05 p.m. Flight for Life then picked up the patient at the Boulderfield and flew the patient to St. Anthony's Hospital. There were approximately 30 rescuers involved in this incident, including members from Rocky Mountain Rescue in case assistance was needed for a
ground evacuation.

During the rescue operations there was light to heavy rains and light winds below treeline. Above treeline it was relatively clear. The Keyhole Route to the summit of Longs Peak is currently considered "technical," which means there is still snow along portions of the hiking route.

--Aaron

[DrCloud]

Is that the Keyhole in the upper left of that picture?

Or am I all turned around? HPH

[hector]

That is an incredible photo. I hope the man recovers! 30 rescuers involved -- WOW! Makes the "Thank a Ranger Day" (and all rescuers) mean that much more!

[Rhonda]

That is exactly what I was thinking, Lora, about Thank a Ranger day. God bless 'em!

[Mr. Jinks]

Wow.

[Malok]

Yikes! I had a guy in the gallery yesterday who said he son was on Longs and that he wanted to buy a photo of the peak when he came down. It looks like this may be the memory photo he keeps. How tragic. I'm sure glad to hear that he survived. Hopefully we'll get an update on his condition later today.

[ScottO]

DrCloud, on 02 July 2010 - 08:13 AM, said:

Is that the Keyhole in the upper left of that picture?

Or am I all turned around? HPH

Nope, the Keyhole is around on the other side of the mountain. That could be some notch in the ridge that joins to the Keyboard of the Winds. But I'm not sure where along the Narrows the fall occurred.

ScottO

[Aaron]

More photos






(photos courtesy of Jess Asmussen, Rocky Mountain National Park & Jim Springer, Grand Teton National Park)


--Aaron

[Melanie]

OMG, somebody keep Bill from seeing these pictures............

I also was thinking about the Rangers, and what awesome people they are!!!!


Melanie<><

[mistylady]

I am truly amazed at the rescue by these rangers. Those pictures are incredible! What a horrible thing to happen. Hope the guy will be alright.

[dianeh85]

Melanie, on 02 July 2010 - 06:17 PM, said:

OMG, somebody keep Bill from seeing these pictures............

I also was thinking about the Rangers, and what awesome people they are!!!!


Melanie<><

Keep Jim JD Green away also. We had just been talking the night before about the wickedness of the Narrows. (wicked to those who are frighened of heights)

those pictures are soo cool I guess the guy didn't have a broken back the way he must have been swinging around as they air lifted him to the boulderfield. I would have thought they would put him on a board.