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Rangers and a volunteer climbing crew were able to rescue a 21 year old Colorado Springs man who had fallen more than 50 feet at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. A rescue crew reached the man and one of his climbing partners early in the morning, Friday, April 20, 2007 after an involved climb down steep cliffs. The two were on a pillar that was detached from the main cliff face. After climbing down 600 feet of cliff to the base of the pillar, rescuers climbed up the pillar, another 150 feet. After some eight hours of effort, the rescue team was able to bring the man to the rim at approximately 1:50 pm.
The party of three climbers began their climb of the Comic Relief Route Thursday, April 19. After the accident occurred at 5:30 pm, one of the climbers rappelled down to the canyon floor and hiked up SOB Draw to get help. Rangers and the volunteer climbing crew mobilized overnight to make the rescue on Friday. The fall caused numerous lacerations, contusions and a possible head injury.
The patient was transported by ambulance from the North Rim Campground to Delta County Memorial Hospital. Comic Relief is located on the west face of North Chasm View Wall on the north rim of the canyon. The first ascent of the route was in September of 1983. |
Last updated: February 24, 2015