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ASPEN, Colo.—Coroner’s officials say the man who fell while descending Capitol Peak near Aspen died of blunt force trauma to his head and multiple systems failure.
Pitkin County sheriff’s officials have said of 35-year-old Ryan Joseph Palmer, of Vail, climbed the peak with friends but decided to descend the north face of the peak Friday instead of crossing the exposed “knife edge” route from the summit again.
His friends crossed the knife edge and watched him start down the face. They called authorities when Palmer was overdue at their meeting place. Rescuers found Palmer’s body at the base of the north face Saturday. Sheriff’s officials estimate he fell 200 to 300 feet.
Capitol Peak rises to 14,130 feet.
