Base jumper rescued after accident at Aspen’s Grottos

Mountain Rescue Aspen has successfully rescued a base jumper who crash-landed at the base of the Grotto Wall climbing area on Independence Pass Saturday.

Pitkin County Dispatch received an emergency text reporting the accident around 12:15 p.m. According to a press release from the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office, the base jumper landed “roughly 200 feet above the parking area in a technical rocky area.”

Mountain Rescue Aspen was alerted at 12:22 p.m. and began mobilizing members and equipment necessary to perform a guided line lowering, since the dispatched Aspen Ambulance was unable to move the base jumper due to the terrain. 

Several Mountain Rescue Aspen members responded directly to the trailhead in order to determine the best method to transport the base jumper from their landing location to the ambulance. 

“A guided line system was quickly built and utilized to lower the base jumper to the ambulance,” according to the press release.

Thirteen Mountain Rescue Aspen members were involved in the mission. All personnel were out of the field by 3 p.m.

“Mountain Rescue Aspen and the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office want to remind adventurers to understand the minimum operational parameters of their equipment and choose appropriate  terrain,” the press release states. “MRA also appreciates the communication and assistance of other climbers and bystanders in this operation.”

The Aspen Times will continue to provide updates as they become available.