Backcountry
On Saturday, June 14, at approximately 10:30 a.m., the Boulder County Communications Center received reports of a skier suffering serious injuries following a fall near the Skywalker Couloir on South Arapahoe Peak, west of Nederland, Colorado, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office reports.
Multiple calls were made to 9-1-1; however, poor cell reception caused calls to be frequently dropped, complicating efforts to determine the patient’s location. At one point, reports indicated the possibility of two separate rescue incidents. Fortunately, the reporting party was able to reach the top of the peak, where she obtained a stronger cell signal and provided precise location details to the rescue teams. This incident highlights the limitations of cell service in remote areas and underscores the importance of carrying a Personal Locator Beacon when engaging in backcountry recreation.
The patient, a 29-year-old male, was initiating a ski descent of the couloir when he fell, sliding and tumbling approximately 1,000 feet down the snowfield before coming to rest in a scree area. Nederland Fire Protection District personnel initially responded to the Fourth of July Trailhead and immediately entered the field. MedEvac airlifted a Rocky Mountain Rescue Group volunteer to the patient, landing within 50 feet of the site.
It was determined that helicopter evacuation was necessary, and the patient was transported by MedEvac to a local hospital for further treatment.
Agencies assisting with the rescue effort included: Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Nederland Fire Protection District, MedEvac, and Rocky Mountain Rescue Group.
