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Missing Hiker Pikes Peak (Crags)
Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2025 10:29 pm
by toddhoelzle
https://www.fox21news.com/news/epso-ask ... ikes-peak/
Lots of SAR at Crags Trailhead today. Found the story above when I got home. Hope he is found safe.
Re: Missing Hiker Pikes Peak (Crags)
Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2025 7:49 am
by pw
Re: Missing Hiker Pikes Peak (Crags)
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2025 12:03 pm
by Jim Davies
It appears he fell on the north face, maybe in the Y? Video from EPCSAR:
Re: Missing Hiker Pikes Peak (Crags)
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2025 3:19 pm
by kman
Just to piggy-back onto Mr. Davies’ post above. Very sad situation.
Re: Missing Hiker Pikes Peak (Crags)
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2025 4:35 pm
by toddhoelzle
User johnfegy posted a trip report from June 11 with pictures of the final pitch that shows how much snow was still in. I'm not going to speculate on whether Mr Hardy was prepared with traction or not, but it does serve as a reminder to me to bring the microspikes and use them when conditions are questionable.
Re: Missing Hiker Pikes Peak (Crags)
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2025 4:49 pm
by JChitwood
Where are those big cliffs? Granted it’s been many years since I hiked Pikes from Crags but I don’t remember terrain like that anywhere near the trail. The route pics on this site all show a pretty gentle ascent.
Re: Missing Hiker Pikes Peak (Crags)
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2025 6:50 pm
by toddhoelzle
JChitwood wrote: ↑Thu Jun 19, 2025 4:49 pm
Where are those big cliffs? Granted it’s been many years since I hiked Pikes from Crags but I don’t remember terrain like that anywhere near the trail. The route pics on this site all show a pretty gentle ascent.
The north face is pretty rugged and there are two spots where the road forces you to hike fairly close to them. The main image on the route description kind of shows it.
Re: Missing Hiker Pikes Peak (Crags)
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2025 9:55 pm
by Jim Davies
Jim Davies wrote: ↑Thu Jun 19, 2025 12:03 pm
It appears he fell on the north face. (edit) Looks like Bottomless Pit, below the highway. Video from EPCSAR:
Re: Missing Hiker Pikes Peak (Crags)
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2025 10:03 pm
by onebyone
toddhoelzle wrote: ↑Thu Jun 19, 2025 6:50 pm
JChitwood wrote: ↑Thu Jun 19, 2025 4:49 pm
Where are those big cliffs? Granted it’s been many years since I hiked Pikes from Crags but I don’t remember terrain like that anywhere near the trail. The route pics on this site all show a pretty gentle ascent.
The north face is pretty rugged and there are two spots where the road forces you to hike fairly close to them. The main image on the route description kind of shows it.
toddhoelzle wrote: ↑Thu Jun 19, 2025 6:50 pm
JChitwood wrote: ↑Thu Jun 19, 2025 4:49 pm
Where are those big cliffs? Granted it’s been many years since I hiked Pikes from Crags but I don’t remember terrain like that anywhere near the trail. The route pics on this site all show a pretty gentle ascent.
The north face is pretty rugged and there are two spots where the road forces you to hike fairly close to them. The main image on the route description kind of shows it.
From the article, sounds like he got caught in a storm and lightning. Maybe hugged those cliffs trying to get out of the open. Then who knows from there. Obviously not a local. And we don't know if he started late or a storm just hit early. That route is exposed for a long time once you reach the road. Most 14ers are more vertical for the last half mile. You can descend quickly if needed. Not so much on this route.
Re: Missing Hiker Pikes Peak (Crags)
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2025 11:21 am
by jrs1965
Jim Davies wrote: ↑Thu Jun 19, 2025 12:03 pm
It appears he fell on the north face, maybe in the Y? Video from EPCSAR:
RIP Russel. Having done the Y Couloir/north face multiple times, and looking at the link Jim had posted, it looks like the fall might have started at the top of Y. I think the destroyed pick-up truck is just barely visible in the video and the helicopter is hovering upslope from that spot by several hundred feet.
Re: Missing Hiker Pikes Peak (Crags)
Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2025 7:53 pm
by 14erFred
Prayers for comfort and strength for Russell’s family and friends. May he rest in peace forever, and may his memory always be a blessing.