Three climbers required a technical rescue Sunday evening after becoming stranded on the Naked Edge route in Eldorado Canyon State Park in Colorado as darkness fell.
The Boulder County Communications Center received a report of climbers in distress at approximately 8:15pm on April 12th. The group of three had lost their route and lacked headlamps as night set in. The lead climber was positioned on pitch five while the remaining two were stopped on pitch four below. Challenges with rope management and pace had slowed their progress past a safe margin before sunset.
Rocky Mountain Rescue Group responded to the scene and was supported by Boulder Emergency Squad, which deployed drone assistance. Rescuers reached the highest climber at roughly 10:30pm. and provided warming supplies. A rescuer then rappelled approximately 105 feet to reach the lower pair, securing all three by 11:31pm.
The two climbers on pitch four were guided through the final pitch of the route, completing the technical portion of the climb at approximately 12:58am. All three were back at the trailhead by 2:25am, uninjured.
The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office used the incident to remind climbers of the risks that come with poor pre-climb planning. Parties attempting long or technical routes should build in a realistic time buffer to finish well before dark. Headlamps with spare batteries are considered essential gear regardless of expected finish time. Adequate food, water, and warm layers are equally critical, as temperatures in the mountains drop sharply and quickly after sunset.
