Hiker dies in 300-foot fall off Colorado glacier

Support truly
independent journalism

Support Now

Find out moreClose

Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.

Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.

Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.

Louise Thomas

Editor

A hiker died after falling 300ft from a Rocky Mountain glacier, according to rescuers in Colorado.

The Alpine Rescue Team says first responders were called to search for a stranded or fallen hiker near St Mary’s Glacier on Thursday afternoon.

The emergency call was thought to have been made by a bystander at the lake who witnessed the fatal fall.

Rescuers in Clear Creek County arrived on the scene and found the hiker dead.

Crews then spent several hours lowering the victim, who has not been identified, down the ice-covered slope.

Officials say that the victim was wearing micro walking spikes, which were not considered adequate in the Class 3 terrain.

It is unknown how the accident took place.

“We don’t have the full picture of what happened. He was hiking. We suspect he was probably on the ridge line up above where he had fallen. There’s a big snow cornice that forms up there,” spokesperson Jake Smith Smith said.

“I don’t know if he was on the edge or part of it broke off or if he decided to descend and misjudged how steep the slope was.”