Experienced Mountain Climber Falls 300 Feet To Death In Colorado

A 44-year-old man from Washington plunged to his death while climbing a mountain on his own in Colorado over the weekend.

The man, identified as Jeremy Fuerst, is believed to have fallen to death sometime Saturday. Rescuers were notified of the climber when he failed to return on that day.

Division of Fire Protection and Control – Canon City Helitack and two members of Custer County Search and Rescue (CCSAR) launched an aerial search. Using a helicopter, they found Fuerst at the bottom of a 300-foot traverse connecting Crestone Peak and Crestone Needle. He appeared to have died, according to the crew.

"It appeared as though the climber had fallen and sustained fatal injuries," CCSAR wrote in a statement released via Facebook.

However, the dangerous terrain made it difficult for the rescue team to recover the climber's body.

"Due to the steep, technical terrain and the difficulty of the recovery, it was determined that the safest course of action was to field teams at first light on Sunday," CCSAR added.

A climbing crew was deployed Sunday to reach Fuerst's body and help airlift it, KKTV reported.

"The terrain in this area has loose, crumbling rock which increased the difficulty for the search teams," CCSAR explained.

The team managed to recover the climber's body as planned and it was taken to the Saguache County coroner.

CCSAR described Fuerst as a "well-prepared" climber with extensive experience. But how exactly he fell remains unclear, as per New York Post.

In the same statement, CCSAR took the opportunity to remind the public of the risks involved in climbing mountains alone.

"Custer County Search and Rescue would like to remind the public and recreational climbers that climbing solo can increase the risk of a catastrophic event," it noted. "Even with the best preparation, accidents happen, and the consequences are much more severe when miles into the backcountry."

It then advised people to do proper research on their chosen route beforehand and make sure they have enough food and water as well as the proper gear before spending an extra night out at elevation.

Fuerst was a pastor at the Central Lutheran Church in Everett, Washington, while his wife, Shannyn, is a pastor at Faith Lutheran in Seattle.

His synod, Northwest Washington Synod, ELCA, released a statement on its Facebook page Monday about Fuerst's untimely demise and asked everyone to pray for his soul.

"Please hold in your prayers his spouse, Pastor Shannyn Fuerst, their family, their friends, and their congregations," it noted.