Another climbing death has occurred in the Colorado high country, according to the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office.
In a September 25 press release, authorities detailed a fatal fall that took place earlier that morning in the San Juan mountain range about 15 miles southwest of Telluride.
According to authorities, a 53-year-old male from Rochester, New York was hiking alone along the Rock of Ages Trail in the area of Wilson Peak when he took a 300 to 400 foot fall while ascending. This led to a severe head injury.
Another person spotted the fallen climber and called emergency services. By the time rescuers reached the man in the rugged terrain, he had succumbed to his injuries.
The victim was recovered and transferred to the local coroner, with the mission taking about four hours in total.
The Rock of Ages Trail is an approach segment that’s rated as class one, according to 14ers.com , though this leads into class three terrain on Wilson Peak with risks of exposure, rockfall potential, and difficulties in route-finding.