A man hiking on Mount Sopris near Aspen died Thursday after being found unconscious just below the towering peak’s false summit, Pitkin County authorities say.
The hiker was found about 1 p.m. by two women hiking the 12,966-foot peak. The pair called 911 and began attempts to revive the hiker.
“A deputy was immediately assigned to the call and Flight For Life (helicopter) was requested to respond to the scene,” the county sheriff’s office said in a news release. “Additionally, Mountain Rescue Aspen and a helicopter crew from the High Altitude Aviation Training Site was activated to assist with rescue, and eventually recovery operations.”
The hiker did not survive despite “tremendous” efforts by the two women who found him.
“The body of the male hiker was recovered from the scene by HAATS and transported via helicopter to an awaiting ambulance,” the release said.
The county coroner’s office is now investigating the death.
“We don’t really know too much of what happened,” Deputy Alex Burchetta told The Denver Post.
Authorities declined to immediately release his identity or to say where he was from. Burchetta said officials believe the man was in his 60s.
Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or @JesseAPaul
