A 21-year-old mountain climber died on 14,000-foot Capitol Peak, CO today.

This was the 5th climber to die on Capitol Peak this year and the 9th person to die on a Colorado 14er this year.

It appears these two climbing partners had a dispute about how to descend the mountain after summiting.

• Bodies of Couple from Aspen Found on 14,000′ Capitol Peak, CO | 3rd & 4th Deaths on Capitol Peak This Summer
• Climber Falls Off “Knife’s Edge” & Dies on 14,000-Foot Capital Peak, CO
• Mountain Climber’s Body Located on 14,000′ Capitol Peak, CO
• 4th Person Dies Attempting to Summit 14,000-Foot-Peak in Colorado This Summer

“The reporting party, Brandon Wilhelm of Pine CO, said he and his 21 year old climbing partner successfully completed a summit attempt on Capitol the previous day at approximately 3 pm. Upon descent, shortly before 3:45 pm, the two became separated before an area known as “The knife edge.” Wilhelm told Deputies he and his climbing partner disputed the proper way to descend the mountain. It was reported the overdue party decided to turn to his left and take a direct line toward the lake, even though he was told there was a cliff band below. This person failed to return to camp that evening.” – Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office, today

The deceased was found at the base of a 700′ cliff.

“At approximately 12:18 pm a foot team deployed from the Flight for Life Lifeguard 2 helicopter made contact with an unconscious, unresponsive male subject. It was determined this individual had injuries that were consistent with a fall from the cliff band above and not able to sustain life. No life support efforts were made. The cliff band directly above this area are approximately 600-700 feet high.” – Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office, today

Please never separate from climbing partners in the mountains.  Stay together, stay strong.

Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office Press Release

Fifth Fatality In 2017 Reported  On Capitol Peak

Pitkin County, Colorado –8/27/2017– On Sunday August 27th, 2017 at approximately 8:45 am, the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office was notified of an overdue climber in the area of Capitol Peak. A hiker called from Capitol Lake and stated his hiking partner was overdue from a summit attempt the previous day. Capitol Peak, 14,130 ft in elevation, is located approximately 15 miles West of Aspen Colorado and is listed as one of the most challenging 14’ers in the state.

The reporting party, Brandon Wilhelm of Pine CO, said he and his 21 year old climbing partner successfully completed a summit attempt on Capitol the previous day at approximately 3 pm. Upon descent, shortly before 3:45 pm, the two became separated before an area known as “The knife edge.” Wilhelm told Deputies he and his climbing partner disputed the proper way to descend the mountain. It was reported the overdue party decided to turn to his left and take a direct line toward the lake, even though he was told there was a cliff band below. This person failed to return to camp that evening.

Volunteers from Mountain Rescue Aspen were notified and began to mobilize from the C.B. Cameron Rescue Center immediately. A field team was deployed as well as air resources from Flight for Life in Summit County.  At approximately 12:18 pm a foot team deployed from the Flight for Life Lifeguard 2 helicopter made contact with an unconscious, unresponsive male subject. It was determined this individual had injuries that were consistent with a fall from the cliff band above and not able to sustain life. No life support efforts were made. The cliff band directly above this area are approximately 600-700 feet high.  

Mountain Rescue Aspen team members continued with the recovery effort. Flight for Life transported the victim to the Pitkin County Airport where it was met by a Pitkin County Deputy Coroner.  All team members were safely out of the field by 8:30 PM.

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office cannot stress enough the importance of knowing your route, being prepared for changes in weather conditions, and overall, knowing the risks involved with mountain activities. There is not an alternate route down the North Face of Capitol Peak unless you have extensive climbing experience and all the necessary ropes and gear associated with high angle mountain climbing. If there was a safe shortcut, it would be the standard route.