A hiker’s descent from Ellingwood Point in Colorado turned into an overnight ordeal when he fell and sustained injuries on July 26. According to a Facebook Post, the Alamosa Volunteer Search and Rescue (AVSAR) team responded to the distress call, initiating a complex rescue operation that lasted into the following day.
The injured climber, who had strayed off course, could not continue due to his injuries and the challenging terrain. AVSAR immediately mobilized rescue teams, but severe afternoon storms over the Blanca Massif prevented an immediate helicopter insertion.
Undeterred by the weather, AVSAR’s specialty 4×4 team transported rescuers up Lake Como Road. From there, the teams proceeded on foot towards the stranded hiker. As darkness fell, the rescue party reached within 300 vertical feet of the climber’s location. However, safety concerns due to the treacherous terrain forced them to halt their advance and set up camp for the night.
“Unfortunately, the climber was highly unprepared for overnight conditions and was out of water/food.”
– AVSAR
The situation grew more critical as it became apparent that the hiker was ‘highly unprepared’ for an overnight stay, lacking sufficient water and food supplies. In response, AVSAR’s incident command team requested assistance from the Colorado National Guard for a hoist extraction at dawn.
At 6:00 AM on July 27, the National Guard successfully hoisted the climber off the mountain. He was then transferred to a REACH29 air ambulance from Salida at the Lake Como helipad, ensuring rapid transport to medical care. By 6:45 a.m., the hiker was en route to the hospital.
The rescued climber was later discharged from the hospital and is recovering from his injuries. AVSAR teams completed their mission and exited the field later that afternoon.
