Skier Rescued from Skywalker Couloir on South Arapahoe Peak

It's rescue season in the Rockies, unfortunately.

On Sunday June 16, a 47-year-old male was rescued after falling between 1000 and 2000 feet down the Skywalker Couloir on South Arapahoe Peak.

South Arapahoe Peak is in the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area west of Nederland, Colorado.

According to a press release from the Boulder County Sheriff's office, the skier "was beginning a ski descent of the couloir when he fell, sliding and tumbling approximately 1,000 to 2,000 feet down on the snowfield before coming to a stop at a rock ledge."

Boulder County Communications got the call for a rescue at about 10:37 am.

"Two off-duty firefighters recreating in the area witnessed the fall and were able to call 911," the release said. "They also began to descend to where the injured male had stopped. They arrived on 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," the statement said. "They were assisted by other bystanders who helped carry in equipment to the scene. Additional rescuers hiked in from the Fourth of July Trailhead bringing additional equipment."

The skier sustained "serious" injuries.

Rescuers put the skier in a full body vacuum splint and prepared him for helicopter transport.

The injured skier was subsequently hoisted from the scene by the Colorado Hoist Rescue Team.

He was flown by the hoist helicopter to Nederland Middle/Senior High School.

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.

Agencies assisting with this rescue effort included: 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.

Kudos to the rescue personnel.