Rescuers bring 10 Fort Carson soldiers down from Longs Peak summit

A rescue operation was mobilized Friday after 10 special forces soldiers from Fort Carson ran into trouble during a training exercise on a Colorado 14er.

Rocky Mountain National Park says the group was participating in climbing training on the Kiener’s Route on Longs Peak.

The park says that it received word last night that two members of the group developed altitude sickness and were having difficulty continuing up the route. It says the group had not planned to stay on the mountain over-night, but didn’t have a choice.

The soldiers spent the night on a ledge at 13,000 feet above sea level, where conditions are still cold and snowy.

The soldiers worked Friday morning to help one another reach the summit, along with help from an 11th soldier who arrived to provide assistance.

Park rangers evacuated the group from the summit via helicopter.

A park spokesperson said the soldiers were tired, hungry and thirsty but otherwise okay.

43 park personnel helped with the rescue.

Longs Peak is located in Rocky Mountain National Park and stands 14, 259 feet tall.

The park says Longs Peak averages around 20 incidents each year.