Hiker Who Died On Incline Was Physical Education Teacher

The El Paso County Coroner’s Office has identified the hiker who died on the Manitou Incline on Tuesday as 58-year-old Vanessa McMichael of Colorado Springs. McMichael was a physical education teacher at Midland Elementary School in School District 11.

McMichael died of a cardiac-related incident while hiking the popular trail just before 5:00 p.m. Tuesday. Medical crews performed CPR for about an hour but were unable to revive McMichael. She was pronounced dead on the trail.

The Sheriff’s Office says she died of natural causes and they have closed the investigation into the case.

District 11 spokesperson, Devra Ashby, tells KRDO NewsChannel 13 that the school send home a note today to inform parents and students of their loss. McMichael had been with the school since 2003 and, as the PE teacher, interfaced with every student in the school. Grief counselors will be at the school on Thursday and possibly Friday.

Devra says McMichael was very active, athletic and healthy.