Hiker dies after fall on Castle Peak in Pitkin County near Aspen

PITKIN COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- Officials have confirmed a hiker died Sunday after falling on the north face of Castle Peak.

According to Mountain Rescue Aspen (MRA), officials with the Gunnison County Sheriff's Office were notified of a fallen climber in the afternoon of September 6. Officials say due to its proximity to Pitkin County, the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office was called in to help.

MRA says it sent people to help at a nearby parking lot while Flight for Life located the climber. Once the climber was located, Flight for Life returned to Aspen to transport MRA members to the area. MRA says they were able to reach the climber around 4 p.m. and determined the climber had "sustained injuries that were not survivable."

This is the second hiker MRA says they have discovered in the last week. According to officials, the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office was notified of a hiker who was overdue to return home on Wednesday, Sept. 2. They were believed to be in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.

MRA says they found the hiker's rental car in the Maroon Bells area and started searching for the missing hiker. On Thursday, officials say they worked with CareFlight of the Rockies to do an aerial search of the area, and found the climber deceased in a difficult to reach area.

Due to the location of the hiker, MRA says recovery is planned for Tuesday, Sept. 8, and Maroon Peak will be closed during that time.

MRA says this is a reminder to those travelling on these mountains to leave a detailed itinerary with a trusted person and carry appropriate gear. They also recommend carrying a reliable two-way satellite radio or communication device in areas without cell service.

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