Overview
- Park rangers were contacted late Friday by two men, ages 47 and 50, on Kiener’s Route near 14,000 feet who reported being incapacitated and unprepared to stay overnight.
- Rangers maintained communication through the night as RMNP search-and-rescue teams and Larimer County Search and Rescue hiked toward the Longs Peak area.
- A U.S. Forest Service helicopter aborted an attempted flight and a Flight For Life aircraft stood down because of strong winds.
- At about 2:15 p.m. Saturday, a Colorado National Guard Chinook with rescuers from Alpine Rescue and Rocky Mountain Rescue landed on the summit and located the climbers.
- The pair were flown to Upper Beaver Meadows Road, and park officials urged visitors to plan for persistent winter hazards including ice, snow, high winds and subzero temperatures.