Mountain Rescue Aspen

05/22/2026

Pitkin County, Colorado – On Friday, May 22, 2026, at approximately 8:36 AM, the Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch Center received a report of an injured climber in the Bell Cord Couloir on Maroon Peak. The climber reportedly fell approximately 1,000 feet while ascending the Bell Cord snowfield and sustained several non life threatening injuries.

Mountain Rescue Aspen (MRA) was immediately alerted and deployed two field teams consisting of 11 members to conduct a technical rescue in steep snow terrain. Rescuers arrived at the trailhead at approximately 9:50 AM and began hiking toward the subject’s location, approximately three miles from the trailhead at an elevation of around 12,300 feet.

At approximately 12:20 PM, rescuers made contact with the subject, conducted a medical assessment, stabilized injuries, and began lowering the climber back down the snowfield through technical terrain. Rescue teams and the subject arrived back at the trailhead at approximately 3:10 PM, and all rescuers were out of the field by 3:40 PM. The subject declined further medical care at the trailhead.

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office reminds climbers and hikers to be prepared for potential injuries in technical terrain, dress appropriately for changing mountain conditions, bring technical gear appropriate for the route, and to carry a two-way satellite communication device when traveling in remote areas where cell service may be unavailable.

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the all volunteer team of Mountain Rescue Aspen for their work in this technical rescue.

05/10/2026

Conditions check and terrain familiarization in the backcountry.

05/08/2026

PSA: the monthly MRA meeting in June will be rescheduled to June 8 (not June 1st). See you then.

04/20/2026

Pitkin County, Colorado – April 19, 2026 – An injured backcountry skier was evacuated by Mountain Rescue Aspen ground teams.

The Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch Center (Dispatch) received a medical SOS at approximately 11:46 AM Sunday morning from the Lindley Hut area. One member out of a party had sustained a knee injury. The call was forwarded to the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office, who in turn notified Mountain Rescue Aspen (MRA), as a backcountry rescue would be necessary.

Three members of Mountain Rescue Aspen were skiing in the area. After communicating directly with the party, Mountain Rescue dispatched the team members in the field, as well as a team of three members from the MRA cabin with additional equipment.

The subject and their party were able to begin self- extricating, which expedited rescue. MRA was able to retrieve the emergency sled from the Lindley hut and rendezvous with the patient. MRA was able to evacuate the patient from the field.

All team members were out of the field at 3:00 PM. In total, 16 MRA members were involved.

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the dedicated, all-volunteer team at Mountain Rescue Aspen, for their continued service to the community. Mountain Rescue Aspen and the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind backcountry skiers to always be prepared and carry a satellite communication device for emergencies. This spring season, hazards exist close to the surface and we encourage backcountry travelers to be cautious.

04/18/2026

Pitkin County, Colorado – April 18, 2026 – One injured backcountry skier was evacuated by helicopter to Aspen Valley Health.

The Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch Center (Dispatch) received a medical SOS at approximately 9:45 AM Saturday morning from Mace Peak. One member out of a party of four was injured. The call was forwarded to the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office, who in turn notified Mountain Rescue Aspen (MRA), as a backcountry rescue would be necessary.

Four members of Mountain Rescue Aspen were skiing in the area and arrived on scene as the subject was sending the SOS. MRA command contacted Flight for Life (FFL) while assembling more teams with tracked ATVs and skiers to assist with evacuation of the patient.

MRA was able to retrieve the emergency sled from the Tagert hut to evacuate the patient to a selected landing zone for FFL. The patient was loaded into FFL and transferred to AVH for further care.

All team members were out of the field at 1:10 PM. In total, 16 MRA members were involved.

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the dedicated, all-volunteer team at Mountain Rescue Aspen, along with Flight for Life, for their continued service to the community. Mountain Rescue Aspen and the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind backcountry skiers to always be prepared and carry a satellite communication device for emergencies.

04/05/2026

Our monthly meeting on Monday, April 6, will be cancelled. See everyone in May!

03/18/2026

Pitkin County, Colorado – March 18, 2026 – Early this morning, at 12:30 AM, the Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch Center received an SOS from an Apple device reporting one stranded climber on Capitol Peak’s Northwest Buttress Route, which was the subject’s intended route.

Mountain Rescue Aspen (MRA) was in contact with the subject throughout the night and advised the subject to stay put until sunrise. The original report was that the climber had cold injuries to their hands and feet and was unable to move. The subject contacted MRA later during the overnight period and provided an update that they felt they could start moving under their own power. As the night continued, the information provided was that the injured climber could not walk out and required further assistance.

At 5:15 AM, Careflight of the Rockies launched from Montrose and flew over to assess the situation. Concurrently, MRA worked with Colorado Search & Rescue (CSAR) to put the Colorado National Guard and HAATS on standby in case a hoist was required. After some time, the subject was able to slowly make it down from the NW Buttress on Capitol, to Capitol Pass under their own power. Careflight was able to land on Capitol Pass, pick up the subject, and transport them to Aspen Valley Health (AVH) by 6:45 AM.

Mountain Rescue Aspen would like to thank Careflight of the Rockies, Colorado Search and Rescue, and HAATS for their assistance in this rescue.

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the dedicated, all-volunteer team at Mountain Rescue Aspen. Mountain Rescue Aspen and the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office remind backcountry users to always have a backcountry partner, carry a personal satellite device, know the route and your abilities, pre-plan your trips while avoiding late starts, and set turn-around times. It is important to always have the right clothing and gear for the projected weather conditions, and be prepared to spend an unplanned night in the mountains if the situation warrants it.

03/15/2026

Congrats to our Mountain Rescue Aspen teammates that won the Team Category at America’s Uphill! 🏆💪

2nd photo:

03/09/2026

Join us at Arc’teryx Aspen for a free community skills night with members of Mountain Rescue Aspen on March 18th at 7:00pm.

Kick off the evening with a short introduction to how Mountain Rescue operates, then rotate through four hands-on learning stations:

Rope & Anchors
How to Request MRA
Basic Medical
Avalanche / Snow Safety

This relaxed, interactive event is a great way to build backcountry knowledge, ask questions, and connect with your local rescue team. Perfect for beginners and seasoned adventurers alike.

March 18
7:00–8:30 PM
Arc’teryx Aspen

RSVP here to confirm your spot:
https://community-events.arcteryx.com/skillssessionwmountainrescue

01/30/2026

Join Us for the 39th Annual Community Avalanche Workshop

📅 Date: February 7, 2026

💲 Cost: FREE — Thanks to your generous support!
🎟 How to Secure Your Spot:
The workshop is limited to the first 100 attendees, and participation is first-come, first-served. To claim your spot:
Arrive at Gondola Plaza by 8:30 AM on February 7, 2025.
Bring the following essential gear:
A modern three-antennae avalanche transceiver
Shovel and probe
Equipment for traveling over soft snow (e.g., AT bindings, splitboard, snowshoes)
Clothing and food suitable for a full day outdoors in the backcountry

⛷ Getting Started:
After securing your ticket at Gondola Plaza, you’ll take the Gondola up to the Sundeck. During the ride, you’ll have time to review your ticket and workshop instructions. Once at the top, a Mountain Rescue Aspen team member will greet you, assign you to a group, and guide you as the workshop begins.

🕒 Workshop Duration:
This is a full-day event, running from 8:30 AM at Gondola Plaza to 3:30 PM at the top of Aspen Mountain.

Participants should be prepared to spend the entire day outdoors in the backcountry. To make the most of the workshop, full-day attendance is required. If you’re unable to stay for the entire event, please allow someone else the opportunity to participate fully.

🔔 Event Updates:
There is no formal registration, but if you would like to receive further updates about the event please fill out the form on the event page.

01/28/2026

https://www.aspentimes.com/news/aspen-area-sees-three-backcountry-rescues-in-four-days/

The Aspen area has seen three mountain rescues in four days.