Hiker dies after tumbling down gully and off a cliff, Colorado sheriff says

A hiker died near Pierre Lakes Basin in Colorado after tumbling down a gully and falling over a cliff, sheriff’s officials reported.

A friend hiking with the person sent an SOS to authorities by Garmin InReach at 10:57 a.m. Saturday, July 22, the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

A helicopter airlifted two rescuers to the area, where they used a drone to find the fallen hiker about 9 miles from the nearest trailhead, the sheriff’s office said.

Rescuers confirmed the hiker had died and airlifted the body to Aspen. The helicopter then retrieved the rescuers and remaining hiker, sheriff’s officials said.

“The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind those who come out to enjoy the backcountry that while exploring the backcountry areas of Pitkin County, it is invaluable to have an emergency communication device at all times,” officials said.

Pitkin County is about 170 miles southwest of Denver.

This story was originally published July 23, 2023 at 10:07 AM with the headline "Hiker dies after tumbling down gully and off a cliff, Colorado sheriff says."