Climber dies in fall from Fourteener

By Lance Benzel, The Gazette

Published June 30, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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A Divide woman fell to her death Saturday while nearing the summit of the 14,197-foot Crestone Needle, in the heart of the Sangre de Cristo range in south-central Colorado.

The victim - described by an acquaintance as an experienced climber - was identified as Linda M. Pryor, 49, said Custer County Coroner Art Nordyke.

Authorities were alerted just before 9 a.m. The Crestone Needle is 12 miles southwest of Westcliffe on a ridge marking the border between Custer and Saguache counties.

Pryor was in a party of six climbers who had reached an elevation of 13,500 feet. The section where she fell involves rock scrambling along treacherous ridges and steep grades but does not require ropes.

"She lost her handhold, doubled back and slipped about 100 feet," Nordyke said, adding that her climbing helmet was knocked from her head as she tumbled down a steep grade.

Two fellow climbers tried to resuscitate her, Nordyke said.

A thunderstorm with the possibility of hail canceled an effort to retrieve Pryor's body, which was in a remote area along the peak's western slope. Weather permitting, the effort was to resume at 4 a.m. today, said Bob Pruiksma of Custer County Search and Rescue.

"We're going to have to rappel her down," Nordyke said.

Four volunteers from El Paso County Search and Rescue planned to join the team of a dozen rescuers.

They requested a helicopter from the Army National Guard to take the volunteers to a landing zone near Cottonwood Lake, about 1,000 feet below the body. They had not received word on whether helicopters would be available as of early Saturday evening, Pruiksma said.

The Crestone Needle is renowned for its striking rock face and expansive views.

Had Pryor's party reached the needle, they would have continued to the 14,294-foot Crestone Peak, a challenging climb requiring ropes, harnesses and plenty of know-how, said Tim Heckel, of Colorado Springs, whose wife, Lisa, was in the climbing party.

"The whole group was experienced," Tim Heckel said. "They had all the equipment they would have needed."

Heckel said he did not know Pryor well but added that she was "quiet and conscientious."

"She was delightful."

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