Fatality on Crestone Needle

[mbird]

Grim and sad mission, indeed. http://www.crestoneeagle.com/climber-di ... e-needles/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Haven't seen it anywhere except the Crestone Eagle, which cites an unidentified source "close to a Sunday July 10 search and rescue mission."

[MonGoose]

Wow. I'm so sad to hear of this loss to another climber on Crestone Needle. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the Saguache County SAR for this extremely difficult, multi-day retrieval.

[ylingli]

OMG!!! This really hits hard because I climbed the Crestone Needle this past Sunday, and I chatted to everyone on the peak that day. That morning when my climbing partner and I drove to the trail-head, we spoke to SAR because at 2am there was a rescue on Humboldt, so I told SAR that we would be extremely careful....

[Wolfman_CO]

My condolences to the friends and family and I am shocked to hear this. I was camped at S. Colony Lakes on both Sat and Sun night. It's crazy to think all that happened basically under my nose and I had no clue. I did see a lone CCSAR jeep at the top of the 4x4 road to S. Colony on Monday morning and commented to my friend that I hoped everything was alright. Feels strange knowing now that it wasn't. And @ylingli, what was the rescue on Humboldt? That happened Saturday night? Not seeing to much from google on that one. The winds were fierce on Sunday and I wouldn't be surprised if that may have contributed to the fall or at least to the recovery operation. Again, my deepest condolences to anyone affected by this.

[bmcqueen]

It was a Parker, CO man, Stephen Hunt, who was a 14er finisher. RIP Stephen. My condolences to his friends and family.

https://www.facebook.com/redeemerparker/?fref=nf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.facebook.com/CusterSAR/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[jrb6907]

Stephen was a friend of mine at church (Parker EPC) the earlier post was correct he was a finisher and had made a lot of progress on the Top 100. He was a great guy, served his family and community well. Tough premature loss, he is with the Lord.

[herdbull]

R.I.P fellow climber.

I said a small prayer for him today as we passed the body on our way to Crestone Peak this morning. We went through before they had airlifted him out.

It was a sobering reminder about how dangerous some of our "fun" stuff can be.

Very unfortunate to find out that yet another life was lost on these peaks.

[bmcqueen]

Stephen was a friend of mine at church (Parker EPC) the earlier post was correct he was a finisher and had made a lot of progress on the Top 100. He was a great guy, served his family and community well. Tough premature loss, he is with the Lord.

I'm so sorry for your loss. It sounds like he was a wonderful man.

[14erFred]

May Stephen rest in peace forever, and may his memory always be a blessing. Prayers for comfort and strength for his family and friends.

[Mountainmania]

To his family and friends, I am so sorry for your loss. This is painful to hear and the whole climbing community grieves with you. I climbed the Needle on Saturday, got off route on the way up, and then got way off route on the way down along with 4 other climbers who got off route too. We all had to climb back up 800 feet to the top and start over because the route we took turned in cliffs. This is a very tricky and complicated mountain. I don't know where this incident occurred, and I am not judging at all, but I highly recommend going with someone who has climbed this peak before. This is very sad and sobering. RIP Stephen.

[MountainHiker]

My condolences to Stephen's family & friends.

[MountainMo]

Sending thoughts, prayers, and condolences to Stephen's family and friends. Thank you for your insights about Stephen jrb6907, sorry for your loss.