Colorado Springs Backcountry Rescue

Photo Courtesy of the Colorado Springs Fire Department

On March 30th, 2026 at 14:17 the Colorado Springs Fire Department and American Medical Response responded to North Cheyenne Cañon for a climber who had fallen approximately 30 feet. The patient was located more than 400 feet above the road and firefighters had to hike steep terrain to reach him. Once crews made contact, they immediately began treating his critical injuries and built a complex high‑angle rope system to safely move him down the mountainside. Specialized high‑angle and heavy rescue teams worked together alongside Tower 1 for nearly three hours, navigating difficult terrain while carefully lowering the patient in a rescue basket. The Special Operations 52 drone team provided overhead support to guide rescuers along the safest route, and whole blood was staged at the bottom of the mountain in case it was needed. The climber was transported by UCHealth Lifeline to a local hospital.  Additional information provided by the Colorado Springs Fire Department

Photo Courtesy of the Colorado Springs Fire Department

Photo Courtesy of the Colorado Springs Fire Department

Photo Courtesy of the Colorado Springs Fire Department

Photo Courtesy of the Colorado Springs Fire Department

Photo Courtesy of the Colorado Springs Fire Department

Photo Courtesy of the Colorado Springs Fire Department

Photo Courtesy of the Colorado Springs Fire Department

Photo Courtesy of the Colorado Springs Fire Department

Photo Courtesy of the Colorado Springs Fire Department

Photo Courtesy of the Colorado Springs Fire Department