During an attempt to climb the 14,197-foot peak of Crestone Needle in the Sangre de Cristo range in Colorado, a 49-year-old woman died after she slipped about 100 feet.
The victim, Linda M. Pryor, was traversing a steep and rocky ridge at 13,500 feet when she lost her hand holds while scrambling. She fell back and tumbled 100 feet. During the tumble, the woman’s climbing helmet flew off.
Her friends tried to resuscitate her, but were unsuccessful. A storm of hail and uncertain weather hampered the recovery process. Her body is still on the mountain and rescue crews hope the weather will permit a helicopter-assisted recovery mission.
Every member in the six-person group had experience hiking and climbing in the mountains. All had proper equipment. Ropes and ice gear weren’t required at the site of the accident. Much of the equipment they were wearing was for a more technical section higher on the mountain. Friends say Pryor was experienced and just slipped.
The route the group took is one of the most difficult in the mountain range and one of the most difficult to the Crestone Needle.
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