Death on Capitol Peak

A Colorado Springs man, James Flowers, fell to his death while descending Capitol Peak last Friday. The report from the Aspen Times:

“Authorities believe Flowers fell at about 13,000 feet, on the east side of the ridge between K2 and Daly saddle. Flowers’ climbing partner, who was not identified in a sheriff’s office news release about the incident, reported seeing Flowers sliding at high speed through snow chutes and rock bands, coming to rest at about 12,500 feet in a rocky section.

The partner contacted his own wife, at about 2:45 p.m., and she contacted authorities. Mountain Rescue Aspen and a Flight for Life helicopter were summoned, but a Frisco-based helicopter was unable to fly because of mechanical problems and a chopper was dispatched from Denver, according to the sheriff’s office.

Mountain Rescue members were picked up by the helicopter at the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport and dropped, one at a time, onto a flat knoll about 1.5 miles from Flowers’ location. Both deputies and the rescue leader were able to maintain periodic cell phone contact with the partner.

A Snowmass paramedic, also a member of mountain rescue, reached Flowers at about 6:25 p.m. He had no pulse and was not breathing, according to the sheriff’s office. Rescuers began cardio-pulmonary resuscitation until the effort was called off by Aspen Valley Hospital’s emergency department. Flowers apparently suffered significant injuries to his head, back and a leg.”

You can read the full article here on the Aspen Times website.

There is no question Capitol is a serious peak. When people ask me about the infamous Knife Edge, I always tell them it’s not that bad, but if you fall you will die. This accident didn’t involve this feature, but there is a lot of similarly dangerous terrain on this peak. Our condolences to the family and friends.