http://www.MountainRescueAspen.org/

Mountain Rescue Aspen, 37925 Highway 82, Aspen, CO (2026)

09/07/2026

Pitkin County, Colorado – On Sunday, September 6, 2026, the Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a fallen climber on the north face of Castle Peak, south of Aspen, Colorado. Due to the location and proximity of the incident, Gunnison County requested assistance from the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office at 12:41 p.m.

Mountain Rescue Aspen deployed team members via OHV to the upper Montezuma parking lot while Flight for Life located the climber from the air. Flight for Life then returned to Aspen to transport additional Mountain Rescue Aspen team members to the area. Mountain Rescue Aspen personnel reached the climber at approximately 3:58 p.m. and determined the individual had sustained injuries that were not survivable. Team members then carefully evacuated the climber from the mountain using a technical lowering system. A total of 21 members were fielded and all team members were out of the field at 8:14 p.m.

Mountain Rescue Aspen and the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office encourage those traveling in the backcountry to be prepared for their outing, familiarize themselves with their route and conditions, and understand the limits of their experience and abilities.

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the all-volunteer team members of Mountain Rescue Aspen and Flight for Life for their assistance with this mission.

09/04/2026

Pitkin County, Colorado – On Wednesday, September 2, 2026, the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office was notified of an overdue climber believed to be in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. The subject’s intended route and itinerary were not initially known.

After further investigation, information and notes were discovered in the subject’s rental vehicle related to climbing the Maroon Bells. Based on this information, Mountain Rescue Aspen (MRA) focused search efforts in the Maroon Bells area.

On the morning of Thursday, September 3rd, MRA coordinated with CareFlight of the Rockies to conduct an aerial search of the area. An MRA member accompanied the CareFlight crew to assist with the search. During the aerial search, the climber was located deceased and tentatively identified in very technical and difficult terrain to access.

Recovery is planned for Tuesday, September 8th. To safely perform recovery operations, the United States Forest Service has issued a closure of Maroon Peak. Please see the attached Forest Service notification. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts/maroon-peak-climbing-access-closed-sept-8

Confirmation and final identification of the climber will be conducted after the recovery is complete. The family of the missing climber has been notified.

Mountain Rescue Aspen and the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office remind those traveling in the backcountry to leave a detailed itinerary with a trusted person before departing, including the intended route, expected return time, and contingency plans. Backcountry travelers should also carry appropriate equipment, be prepared for rapidly changing mountain conditions, and carry a reliable two-way satellite communication device when traveling in areas without cellular service.

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the all-volunteer team of Mountain Rescue Aspen and CareFlight of the Rockies for their assistance with this mission.

09/04/2026

Pitkin County, Colorado – On Thursday, September 3, 2026, at approximately 3:06 PM, the Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch Center received an emergency message via satellite from a hiker reporting a severe ankle injury approximately five miles from the Maroon Lake trailhead in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.

Mountain Rescue Aspen (MRA) was notified of the incident and mobilized four field teams to respond to the subject’s location. Field team members made contact with the subject at approximately 6:19 PM. After assessing the subject and preparing the subject for evacuation, rescuers placed the subject in a litter and began the approximately five-mile evacuation back toward the trailhead. Upon arrival, the subject was transferred to Aspen Ambulance for further medical care. All field teams were out of the field by 10:00 PM. A total of 18 MRA members were involved.

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office and Mountain Rescue Aspen remind hikers and other backcountry users to be prepared for unexpected injuries and emergencies when traveling in remote terrain. Carry appropriate clothing, food, water, navigation equipment, emergency supplies, and carry a two-way satellite communication device.
The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the all volunteer team of Mountain Rescue Aspen and Aspen Ambulance for their work in this backcountry rescue.

08/31/2026

Pitkin County, Colorado – On Saturday, August 29, 2026 Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office and Mountain Rescue Aspen (MRA) responded to a report of three hikers stranded at approximately 11,000 feet in the Avalanche Creek area.

The group, a parent and two juvenile children, reported being unable to safely descend and had limited food, water and communication capabilities. CareFlight of the Rockies located the hikers and assisted with their evacuation from the area.

MRA and Sheriff’s Office personnel coordinated the rescue response, with rescuers meeting the helicopter at the Redstone Coke Ovens.

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office reminds backcountry users to be prepared for changing mountain conditions and to carry adequate food, water, navigation equipment and reliable emergency communication devices.

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the all volunteer team of Mountain Rescue Aspen and CareFlight of the Rockies for their assistance.

08/17/2026

On Sunday, Aspen Fire responded to Aspen Mountain for a reported midair collision between a hang glider and a paraglider. Crews performed a raise of more than 1,000 feet to reach an injured pilot who was unable to self-extricate, and transferred the patient to Aspen Ambulance for care.

"It was a smooth operation and a coordinated effort," said Lieutenant Lewin.

Aspen Fire Protection District extends its appreciation to Aspen Ambulance, Mountain Rescue Aspen, and Aspen Mountain Patrol, and to the volunteers and support staff who made this operation possible.

08/16/2026

Pitkin County, Colorado – On Sunday, August 16, 2026, the Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch Center received a report of an injured climber who had fallen approximately 500 feet while climbing on the north face of North Maroon Peak.

Mountain Rescue Aspen (MRA) was notified and mobilized two field teams to assist with the technical rescue. The climber sustained several injuries from their fall.

MRA ground teams traveled into the North Maroon Peak area carrying medical and technical rescue equipment. A helicopter from the High-Altitude Army Aviation Training Site (HAATS) was requested to assist with the evacuation.

At approximately 2:36 PM, the climber was reported to be aboard the helicopter. The patient was subsequently transferred to an ambulance at the airport for continued medical care. Mountain Rescue Aspen fielded a total of 34 members in assistance with the mission and all members were out of the field by 4:30pm.

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office reminds climbers to carefully assess route conditions and their abilities before entering technical terrain. Climbers should carry appropriate equipment, have a reliable means of communication, and be prepared for the possibility of an injury or other emergency in remote mountain terrain.

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the all volunteer team of Mountain Rescue Aspen, HAATS and Aspen Ambulance assisted with the evacuation for their work during this rescue.

08/16/2026

Pitkin County, Colorado – On Sunday, August 16, 2026, the Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch Center received a report of two injured individuals following a midair collision between a paraglider and a hang glider in the Aspen Mountain area.

Mountain Rescue Aspen (MRA) was notified and mobilized rescue personnel to assist with the evacuation. An Aspen Mountain ranger made patient contact at approximately 10:56 AM. One subject sustained minor injuries and was able to walk uphill to the road. The subject declined further medical care after being evaluated by an ambulance.

Rescuers continued the evacuation of the second subject using a litter and rope system. The subject was transported uphill to the road and then loaded into a side-by-side vehicle before being transferred to an ambulance for further medical care.

A total of 34 MRA team members were involved and completed the rescue operation at approximately 1:22 PM.

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office reminds individuals participating in paragliding, hang gliding, and other mountain aviation to maintain appropriate separation from other aircraft, and carry reliable communication and safety equipment. Participants should also be prepared to manage injuries and other emergencies until outside assistance can arrive.

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the all volunteer team of Mountain Rescue Aspen, Aspen Fire Department, Aspen Mountain Rangers and Aspen Ambulance for their assistance during this rescue.

08/11/2026

Pitkin County, Colorado – 08/09/2026 – Today at approximately 5:55 PM, the Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch Center received a report of an injured climber in the Maroon Bells area. The subject had injured their right ankle while climbing and was able to communicate with 911 by cell phone.

Mountain Rescue Aspen (MRA) was notified and deployed multiple teams to assist with the rescue. At 8:50 PM, rescuers made contact with the injured subject. The subject was assessed by MRA medical personnel and the ankle was stabilized, allowing the subject to walk with assistance down the trail.

The two uninjured members of the party were escorted out with their camping gear, while rescuers continued with the injured subject. All MRA teams were back at the trailhead parking area by approximately 11:32 PM.

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office reminds backcountry travelers to carry reliable communication and navigation equipment, keep devices fully charged, and be prepared for injuries or delays when traveling in remote mountain terrain.

16 MRA members were part of the mission that lasted 6 hours. The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the all volunteer team of Mountain Rescue Aspen for their work in assisting the injured subject and safely evacuating the party.

08/09/2026

Pitkin County, Colorado – The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office and Mountain Rescue Aspen (MRA) assisted Gunnison County in a mutual aid response to rescue an injured climber on Maroon Peak.

The Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch Center received a request at 5:41 PM for mutual aid after a report that a climber had suffered a significant fall at approximately 13,550 feet on the standard route. The subject was unable to walk and reported to have a significant ankle injury.

MRA coordinated with CareFlight of the Rockies (CareFlight) and began mobilizing ground rescue teams. Four MRA members were inserted by helicopter onto a ridge approximately one mile from the subject while additional team members remained staged at Crater Lake.

MRA team members made contact with the subject at approximately 10:42 PM. The subject reported taking an approximately 15-foot tumbling fall while wearing a helmet. The subject remained with four MRA rescuers overnight to support the subject until a hoist rescue could be performed at first light.

A Colorado High Altitude Aviation Training Site (HAATS) helicopter arrived with two hoist rescue techs from MRA and successfully evacuated the subject and all rescue personnel. Subject was transported to AVH by Aspen Ambulance. All MRA members were out of the field by approximately 8:18 AM, and the mission was subsequently closed.

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office reminds climbers and backcountry travelers to be prepared for the physical demands of the terrain, changing mountain conditions, and the possibility of injury or delayed evacuation. Individuals traveling in remote and technical terrain should carry appropriate equipment, communication devices, and emergency supplies, be knowledgeable in the proper use of their equipment, and should be prepared to spend an extended period in the field if outside assistance is delayed.

08/05/2026

Pitkin County, Colorado – On Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at approximately 4:42 PM, the Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch Center received a report of a hiker experiencing a medical issue and difficulty walking on the East Snowmass Creek Trail. The subject was reported to be approximately three miles from the trailhead.

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office notified Mountain Rescue Aspen (MRA), which deployed multiple field teams to the area.

At approximately 6:37 PM, MRA made contact with the subject approximately 2.35 miles from the trailhead. The subject was able to walk with assistance, and rescuers began traveling down the trail. Additional MRA members responded with all-terrain vehicles and evacuation equipment.

The subject was transferred to an ATV near a creek crossing and transported to the Ditch Trailhead, arriving at approximately 7:34 PM. The subject was then transported by ambulance to Aspen Valley Health for further medical care.

All MRA members were out of the field by approximately 7:53 PM, and the mission was closed at 8:21 PM.

Mountain Rescue Aspen and the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office remind hikers to prepare for changing mountain conditions, carry adequate food and water, remain with their group, and bring a reliable two-way communication device when traveling in areas without cellular service.

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the all volunteer team of Mountain Rescue Aspen, the Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch Center, and responding ambulance personnel for their assistance with this rescue.

Mountain Rescue Aspen

09/07/2026

09/04/2026

09/04/2026

08/31/2026

08/17/2026

08/16/2026

08/16/2026

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