Pueblo West remembers the man who died while hiking near San Isabel

The Pueblo West community is remembering a man who died after falling off a cliff near San Isabel.

Austin Schindler of Pueblo West was hiking with four friends near Lake Isabel when he climbed up a rock to take a picture and slipped. His friends reported the accident around 1:30 p.m.

Pueblo West High School teachers and staff say Schindler is a graduate of the high school. He was also on the hockey and lacrosse team. His marketing teacher Tony Linkowski said he’s going to miss his former student.

“I hope there is a rink up in heaven. I hope you’re on it. I just hope you’re happy and looking down on everyone else and know how much you meant to everybody,” he said.

The sheriff’s office says Schindler’s body is in a rugged area about a mile and a half below Highway 165.