Key takeaways:
- A 26-year-old woman from Boulder, Colorado died after falling 500 feet while free-solo climbing a ridge at Rocky Mountain National Park.
- The incident occurred on the Four Aces of Blitzen Ridge, on Ypsilon Mountain on the east side of the park.
- The National Park Service urges visitors to be aware of the risks associated with free-soloing and to always use proper safety equipment when climbing.
On Sunday, a 26-year-old woman from Boulder, Colorado died after falling 500 feet while free-solo climbing a ridge at Rocky Mountain National Park. Free-soloing is a form of climbing where the climber forgoes ropes, harnesses and other protective gear while ascending and relies only on their physical strength, climbing ability, and psychological fortitude to avoid a fatal fall.
The woman’s 27-year-old male climbing partner, also from Boulder, notified park rangers of her fall via cell phone. The park requested assistance from a Colorado Air National Guard helicopter from Buckley Air Force Base to extricate the male climbing partner via a hoist operation, using a winch operated cable.
The incident occurred on the Four Aces of Blitzen Ridge, on Ypsilon Mountain on the east side of the park. Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue Team members were able to reach the male partner last night.
The National Park Service (NPS) has not released the identity of the woman or her climbing partner. The cause of the fall is still under investigation. The NPS urges visitors to be aware of the risks associated with free-soloing and to always use proper safety equipment when climbing.
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