Help Build a Record of Fatalities on Colorado’s 14ers

[Timmy]

Constructive criticism: The text over the image is impossible to read.

Fixed. I added a light/dark theme based on user preference and I didn't realize the opacity was allowing the background to come through. To be honest, I was unable to duplicate it — but I admit that I've been focused on getting the data correct.

Regarding LLM, now I understand, she was asking me a question I had already answered. That's what threw me off — she was using different terminology to ask a question I have answered multiple times.

Thanks for your support!! The number of people who have contributed, and the messages I've received from members is truly amazing.

Timber

[Jim Davies]

A minor nitpick: Steve Gladbach died on Thunder Pyramid, not Pyramid Peak. I don't know if you want to expand your scope to nearby mountains or just high Colorado peaks in general, although that might be useful. https://publications.americanalpineclub ... nd-Unroped

[Jim Davies]

Would you include traffic accidents on Pikes Peak or Mount Blue Sky/Evans? There have been a couple of deaths of motorcyclists competing in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb in that past 10-15 years.

[Timmy]

Would you include traffic accidents on Pikes Peak or Mount Blue Sky/Evans?

Jim, Yes. I added the aircraft incident, a non-climber incident, on Mount Yale because it adds to the history of the mountains. Perhaps it skews the data of which mountains are the deadliest to climbers, but I feel that question is settled — Longs Peak by a "long" margin. So yes, you can add them or you can send them to me. I've been compiling a batch import and I can add it to the next round.

Regarding Thunder Pyramid, I will make that notation and leave it as is.

One more thing, I've not been able to substantiate this but I heard of an automobile related incident on Bross, or maybe Antero, or both. Still on my list to research.

[Jon Frohlich]

I'm not sure if I'm comfortable adding it but there are some older incidents on the Crestones (traverse especially) that are definitely not on there.

[Jim Davies]

Here's an article that lists seven deaths that have happened during the Pikes Peak Hill Climb over the past century-plus. More than I suspected. https://gazette.com/2019/06/24/7-deaths ... bafedff3e/

– Motorcycle racer Carlin Dunne, from Santa Barbara, Calif., crashed his 2019 Ducati Streetfighter V4 Prototype 20 yards before the finish line race day 2019. Read more here.

– Motorcycle racer Carl Sorensen, a 39-year-old father of one from Centennial, went off a cliff during a final practice run along a 3-mile stretch before the summit on the Thursday leading up to the 2015 race. A motorcycle racer for about 10 years, Sorensen had been hired to race a Ducati in 2015. Read more here.

– Motorcycle racer Bobby Goodin, 54, succumbed to injuries after he wrecked his 2014 Triumph Daytona 675R moments after crossing the finish line on the summit in 2014. Read more here.

– Race official Henry J. Bresciani, 67, of Colorado Springs died in 2005 after he was struck by a car during practice.

– Ralph Chandler Bruning Jr., 31, was killed in a 2001 practice when his Super Stock car went off the dirt road at 80 mph and struck a tree near a 20-foot embankment. The car landed on its top and part of the tree entered the car. Read more here.

– Motorcycle racer Bill Gross died in 1982 when he was hit by another motorcyclist after he fell from his bike. He died that day from injuries to his liver.

– Driver Wallace Coleman died after he was injured during practice in 1921.

[Timmy]

I'm not sure if I'm comfortable adding it.

Jon, You can DM me or list them here. I can research them and fill in all the details (if needed) and update the site.

[rijaca]

Your database is hardly a comprehensive list of fatalities on CO 14ers as stated on your site. I am aware of three tragedies that aren't in your database, and Bueler's Roof of the Rockies states in reference to the Maroon Bells "Since 1952 almost two dozen have been killed..." The book was published in 2000. You have six listed during that time period.

These fatalities are not just incidents but tragedies for family and friends. You state your intent to document the stories behind these accidents. You have failed miserably. And you start with stating that the 14ers attract hikers. Then why include automobile/motorcycle/aircraft accidents?

My $.02

[rmcpherson]

Your database is hardly a comprehensive list of fatalities on CO 14ers as stated on your site. I am aware of three tragedies that aren't in your database, and Bueler's Roof of the Rockies states in reference to the Maroon Bells "Since 1952 almost two dozen have been killed..." The book was published in 2000. You have six listed during that time period.

These fatalities are not just incidents but tragedies for family and friends. You state your intent to document the stories behind these accidents. You have failed miserably. And you start with stating that the 14ers attract hikers. Then why include automobile/motorcycle/aircraft accidents?

My $.02

The site says "Colorado's Fourteeners attract hundreds of thousands of hikers each year. Yet there is no single, comprehensive public record of the people who have lost their lives on these peaks."

No where that I've seen does the site claim to be a comprehensive list and that is probably impossible as not all deaths were recorded. Since this site only includes deaths already in the public record, and as far as I've seen avoids speculation on the causes of accidents beyond the facts already reported, the claim that this is somehow an insult to the survivors is specious. The information is already out there; this is essentially a collation of that data.

[Timmy]

Thank you!!!

I'm asking for assistance to build a record. The website itself reflects the crowd sourced data that has been entered so if ANYONE has knowledge of incidences that are not on the site, I'd appreciate your input.

There is not official record and therefore I'm building one. A month ago there were zero records and now there's 250 spanning over one-hundred years.

The database will be open, on request, to anyone who would like to branch it. Eventually the entire project will be in a clonable repository.

[Timmy]

You have failed miserably.

I'm specifically asking for assistance building out an official comprehensive record. Comprehensive is important here and as this project evolves, I've looked at other similar projects for guidance, for example the Grand Canyon. The official record maintained by the NPS lists aircraft incidents. Therefore I'm also listing aircraft incidences and automobile incidences. The project is only one month old, you can expect that there will be changes in labels or data. Infact, I'm considering adding a new cause to simply be: "Accident, mining." What's your thoughts on that?

It's easy to criticize someone else's work when you have nothing, but I'm unsure why you are making this personal. If you don't like my methods, I will give you my database and you can build your own. Hell, I'll even help you. Trust me, researching these deaths is not fun. For example, as a veteran, reading about the soldiers and sailors who died on Mount Yale was very difficult. I read that one of the airmen was a woman, and that's how I learned about the history of the WAC (Women Air Corps). She was a Master Sergeant, a Master Sergeant!!! Here, read this:

During an investigation into the crash, officials determined the aircraft had left Colorado Springs between 9:30 and 10 a.m. that morning. The watches on the bodies of those aboard had all stopped at 10:10 a.m. The weather had been clear and calm and the pilot did not report any mechanical failure.

So yeah, your definition of failure is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAY different than mine if your measure is that you don't like me adding non climbing incidences. Let me guess, you didn't grow up in Colorado?

[rijaca]

You have failed miserably.

I'm specifically asking for assistance building out an official comprehensive record. Comprehensive is important here and as this project evolves, I've looked at other similar projects for guidance, for example the Grand Canyon. The official record maintained by the NPS lists aircraft incidents. Therefore I'm also listing aircraft incidences and automobile incidences. The project is only one month old, you can expect that there will be changes in labels or data. Infact, I'm considering adding a new cause to simply be: "Accident, mining." What's your thoughts on that?

It's easy to criticize someone else's work when you have nothing, but I'm unsure why you are making this personal. If you don't like my methods, I will give you my database and you can build your own. Hell, I'll even help you. Trust me, researching these deaths is not fun. For example, as a veteran, reading about the soldiers and sailors who died on Mount Yale was very difficult. I read that one of the airmen was a woman, and that's how I learned about the history of the WAC (Women Air Corps). She was a Master Sergeant, a Master Sergeant!!! Here, read this:

During an investigation into the crash, officials determined the aircraft had left Colorado Springs between 9:30 and 10 a.m. that morning. The watches on the bodies of those aboard had all stopped at 10:10 a.m. The weather had been clear and calm and the pilot did not report any mechanical failure.

So yeah, your definition of failure is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAY different than mine if your measure is that you don't like me adding non climbing incidences. Let me guess, you didn't grow up in Colorado?

It's never going to be a comprehensive list. Saying such is disrespectful to those not on the list. This isn't personal. As a vet, you should have thicker skin. I'm not interested in compiling a list. I spent 40 years doing safety and health investigations (including mine sites) and I'm tired of that stuff. So tired, I'm retired!

Oh, not only did I grow up in Colorado, so did my parents and grandparents (all born here as well).