Hiker loses grip and plunges 15 feet into ‘nearly vertical’ gully, Colorado cops say

A hiker lost his grip and went tumbling 15 feet into a gully, Colorado deputies said.

The 33-year-old man was trying to hike a loop across Mount Toll on Sunday, July 3, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office said.

Mount Toll is considered a challenging hiking area near Ward, about 45 miles northwest of Denver.

“While attempting to traverse across Mount Toll, he lost his grip on the rock and fell approximately 15 feet into a gully of slick, nearly vertical rock that he was unable to get out from,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

The hiker had minor injuries but couldn’t get out of the gully. He was stuck and needed technical equipment to get out.

He called 911 shortly before 1 p.m. However, thunderstorms prevented rescuers from flying in a helicopter to the hiker’s location.

“Given the inability to fly, it was more efficient to conduct the rescue from Boulder County,” officials said. “A team from Rocky Mountain Rescue Group hiked in from Brainard Lake and were able to make verbal contact with the stuck hiker before sunset.”

Rescuers created a ropes system to get into the gully. The hiker was stuck in “steep rocky terrain,” deputies said.

“Rescuers built anchors and fixed ropes as they descended, ultimately descending approximately 600 feet from the ridgeline before locating the hiker,” the sheriff’s office said. “The hiker was secured with a harness and tied into the rope system.”

With the help of rescuers, the hiker was able to climb out of the gully to the top of the ridge.

The hiker and rescuers reached the continental divide at about 3:15 a.m. Monday, July 4, more than 14 hours after the initial call for help.

Deputies said the rescue took about 18 hours total.

The man was able to hike to the trailhead and did not have major injuries. Officials did not disclose his name.

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