A Durango man has been safely airlifted off El Diente Peak in southwest Colorado after getting into difficulty and spending the night amid high rugged terrain on the 14er.
According to San Miguel County Sheriff's Office, the 35-year-old hiker requested help after losing the route on the 14er located in the San Juans near Telluride. El Diente Peak is notoriously difficult to navigate and with additional hazards such as exposure and potential rockfall, it is considered one of the most challenging 14ers in the state. El Diente is Spanish for ‘the tooth’ referring to the peak’s sharp, jagged shape which requires class 3 and 4 scrambling to summit.
The sheriff’s office reported that the man stated he was uninjured but cliffed out, meaning he’d reached a point where cliffs prevented him from ascending or descending any further. The hiker was well-prepared and therefore able to spend the night on the cliff.
Colorado Highland Helicopters located the man the following morning at approximately 13,600ft and airlifted him to safety.
Climbing a class 3 or higher 14er requires expertise and climbing equipment. You should venture out with the aid of a map, compass and GPS tracking device and know how to use them to navigate safely.
