Experienced Climber's Body Recovered From Colorado Mountain Five Days After She Sent SOS

The body of an experienced 29-year-old climber has been recovered in Colorado Mountains five days after she sent an SOS signalling that she had strayed from the standard route.

Madeline Baharlou-Quivey, 29, an experienced climber was navigating the Kit Carson Peak in Colorado on Oct. 11 when she strayed from the standard route. Off route, Quivey soon reached a point where she could not move in any direction. Around 8:18 p.m., the Saguache County Sheriff’s Office received a call stating Quivey needed assistance from Search and Rescue. The sheriff’s office gathered the GPS coordinate of Quivey through a text and a rescue plan was set at pre-dawn on Oct. 12.

Quivey, who had climbed other peaks exceeding 14,000 feet before, was well equipped with winter clothing, a bivy sack and a good supply of food and water. But, a fast-approaching winter storm and the rugged terrain made her situation worse.

The search party was joined by personnel "trained in winter alpine conditions" and a black hawk to hoist Quivey out of the terrain.

"An approaching winter storm to the rescue area, provided a narrow window of time for rescue operations," the Saguache County Search and Rescue’s office said on Facebook.

On Oct. 12, the rescue team searched the area where Quivey was located. However, they found no signs of her. The helicopter left the scene to refuel but was unable to return due to deteriorating weather conditions. Meanwhile, the ground team was forced to turn back due to "strong winds, blowing snow, limited visibility, and air temperatures below freezing."

The rescue crew was able to locate Quivey on Oct. 13 during an aerial observation, CBS News reported. They determined that she had died from a fall. The ground crew was able to reach within 100 yards of the body but had to turn back empty-handed after running out of daylight.

A major rescue operation resumed Saturday. Hikers planning to climb Kit Carson were asked to avoid the peak. Quivey’s body was recovered the same day, confirmed the victim’s mother Carlotta Baharlou on Facebook.

"I am so grateful to the search and rescue teams from the state of Colorado for recovering Madeline's body. It was a nearly impossible task but their skill and experience have allowed us the opportunity to begin healing," Baharlou said. "Thank you all for your overwhelming support and love over the last several days."