Two hikers likely fell to their deaths from summit of Capitol Peak’s north face

Authorities say two bodies found at the base of the north face of Capitol Peak in western Colorado are likely those of an Aspen couple missing since Sunday.

Cmdr. Jesse Steindler with the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office tells The Aspen Times a helicopter crew made the discovery Tuesday afternoon, and investigators are 99.9 percent sure of the identities based on clothing and equipment found with the bodies.

Steindler says it appears the two fell from the summit.

The couple, whose names have not been released, planned to hike the 14,000-foot (4,267-meter) peak on Sunday and were reported missing when they did not return that afternoon.

The deaths are the third and fourth on the peak this summer.