Park dispatch received a call reporting a stranded climber in the Lumpy Ridge area of the park around 5:30 p.m. on January 16th. A 17-year-old girl from Estes Park was climbing with friends when she got stuck about 200 feet above the ground, unable to climb either up or down. She had no climbing equipment and was wearing a t-shirt and leggings. The caller was unable to specify her exact location. Park staff asked the Estes Park Volunteer Fire Department to use spotlights to illuminate the Twin Owls area of Lumpy Ridge in an effort to locate the climber. She was found on lower Twin Owls, 200 feet up on the route known as Organ Pipes. Park staff arrived above her at 7:10 p.m. They lowered a park rescue person to her location, who reached her at 7:25 p.m.. He secured her with climbing equipment and gave her warmer clothing. Park staff lowered them both to the ground. The girl was able to walk out with park staff and they reached the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead at 9:30 p.m. She was taken by ambulance to Estes Park Medical Center for further evaluation. Approximately 15 park staff were involved in addition to personnel from other agencies, including Estes Park Volunteer Fire Department, Estes Park Police Department and Estes Park Medical Center. Park staff feel this was truly a life saving rescue.
Ruby: 1.8.7, Rails: 1.1.6