The Colorado National Guard rescued two hikers who were caught in a dangerous crevice on a 14,000-foot peak near Vail.
Stepbrothers Adam Van Essen, 23, and Jeff Snapper, 28, both of Michigan, stopped in a steep area about 600 feet below the summit of Mount of the Holy Cross, Eagle County sheriff’s deputy Lisa Vasquez said today.
“They got stuck on the crevice, and they couldn’t go up or down,” Vasquez said. “Because of the loose rock, you can slide very easily.”
One of the hikers called his father, who contacted the sheriff’s office around 12:30 p.m. Monday, she said.
Three rescuers hiked to the crevice where the brothers were caught, the Angelica Couloir, and helped them climb down and hike to a helicopter just after 7 p.m., Vasquez said. Neither of the hikers was injured, she said.
She said the approach to the peak is not recommended after July because of the sliding shale. The route is normally used in the winter, she added.
Staff writer Kirk Mitchell can be reached at 303-954-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com.
