Crews unable to reach hiker who fell to their death off Arikaree Peak, despite attempts

DENVER ( KDVR ) — Crews were unable to reach a hiker who fell hundreds of feet to their death off a Colorado peak in late August.

Grand County said authorities were contacted by Boulder County, who reported a hiker that fell approximately 300 to 400 feet off Arikaree Peak on Aug. 28. The Grand County Sheriff’s Office and search and rescue teams attempted to recover the hiker, but the county said weather conditions and dangerous terrain prevented the teams from reaching them.

During the first attempt, the county said a physician in the helicopter determined the hiker didn’t survive.

Crews returned in early September, where they tried again to reach the hiker. However, the county said the steep terrain surrounding the peak and conditions were still too dangerous for the crew.

“Our teams made every possible effort to safely reach the site of the fall, but conditions remain too dangerous for us to proceed,” said Greg Foley, Grand County Search and Rescue Field Director. “The safety of our personnel must come first.”

The county announced on Wednesday that the agencies stopped recovery efforts due to safety concerns.

The county said this incident shows the dangers of backcountry travel due to the terrain and the challenges of rescuing someone in a remote area.

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