14ers.com

El Paso County crews help search for hiker missing in Custer County
August 29, 2012 8:39 AM
MATT STEINER
matt.steiner@gazette.com
Rescue crews from five agencies, including El Paso County, are searching for a Colorado man who fell more than 200 feet near Crestone Peak on Tuesday.

Capt. Bob Pruiksma, of the Custer County Search and Rescue, said Wednesday morning that officials are calling the operation a "recovery" as they believe the victim is most likely dead.

Pruiksma said 24 searchers were in the area above 13,000 feet and about 500 feet north of Crestone Peak, following clues given to them by another man who was with the hiker when he fell.

The second hiker called 911 Tuesday and reported the fall to the Colorado State Patrol, which relayed the message to Custer County officials. The accident happened about 9:30 a.m.

The identity of the victim has not yet been released.

Prayers for safety for the search crews as this is a horribly dangerous area to search. Also prayers that they are wrong and do find the missing person alive.

Not cool. Praying they find him alive.

Good thoughts for those invloved in the search, and hopefully they are wrong about the missing hiker. Stay safe out there guys and gals.

Thoughts and prayers!

Ugh...

Stay safe guys!

Prayers for safety for the search crews as this is a horribly dangerous area to search. Also prayers that they are wrong and do find the missing person alive.

Will do.

This year is a tough one for accidents.

"Pruiksma said 24 searchers were in the area above 13,000 feet and about 500 feet north of Crestone Peak, following clues given to them by another man who was with the hiker when he fell."

Sounds like it will be a difficult rescue/recovery. Maybe North Buttress.

http://www.gazette.com/news/county-1438 ... -feet.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hate to hear this. My thoughts go out to all those involved and best hopes for a positive outcome here.

That terrain is rough in that area.

Oh no, I was getting in hope that this year there will be less accidents than those horrible previous two years, I was hoping that lack of snow and pretty dry summer as well as more informations and more prepared people in the mountain may lead to more safety and those new news make me sad. I hope they will be able rescue this climber alife. All of you, please, stay safe...

Horrible news...keeping my fingers crossed the rescue has a better outcome than it's sounding like.

It is not looking good.

http://www.krdo.com/news/Body-of-missin ... index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;