On Sunday, June 16, at 10:37 a.m., Boulder County Communications was notified of a skier who had sustained serious injuries in the area of the Skywalker Couloir on South Arapahoe Peak, west of Nederland, Colorado.
The 47-year-old male began a ski descent of the couloir when he fell, sliding and tumbling approximately 1,000 to 2,000 feet down on the snowfield before stopping at a rock ledge. Two off-duty firefighters recreating in the area witnessed the fall and were able to call 911. They also began to descend to where the injured male had stopped. They arrived on the scene and were able to provide first aid to the injured skier, as well as relay information to the responding rescue teams.
Rescuers and medical personnel from Rocky Mountain Rescue Group were flown near the scene by MedEvac and were able to climb up to the injured party and begin providing additional medical care. They were assisted by other bystanders who helped carry equipment to the scene. Additional rescuers hiked in from the Fourth of July Trailhead, bringing additional equipment.
Rescuers could place the skier in a full-body vacuum splint and prepare him for transport. The Colorado Hoist Rescue Team subsequently hoisted the injured skier from the scene. He was transported by the hoist helicopter to Nederland Middle/Senior High School, where the helicopter landed. The skier was transferred to Paramedics from American Medical Response and was transported by ambulance to a local area hospital for further care and evaluation. He was transported with serious injuries but remained stable throughout the incident.
The following agencies assisted with this rescue effort: Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Boulder County Open Space, Nederland Fire Protection District, Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, Colorado Search and Rescue Association, Colorado Hoist Rescue Team, MedEvac, and American Medical Response.
That couloir has seen a lot of falls and is definitely one of the more notable Front Range test pieces. The Princess Leia entrance (most common direct line) is 60°+ and can develop a bergschrund between the entrance and the main body of the couloir that’s tricky to navigate. Not to mention the entrance is a more Easterly aspect that can quickly get sloppy while waiting for the rest of the couloir to soften. It’s a tough line. Hope he’s okay!