Rescuers took eight hours to rescue a man who crashed while 'speed gliding' on Quandary Peak. (Summit County Rescue Group / December 27, 2009) |
SUMMIT COUNTY, Colo. - Rescuers and volunteers braved harsh terrain and sub-zero conditions to rescue an injured speed glider on Quandary Peak Sunday.
Speed gliding, also known as speed flying or sky gliding, involves skiing with a small parachute that allows the person to go airborne for short periods of time.
Rescue workers says the victim and a friend had launched from the summit of Quandary, a 14,000 foot peak just south of Breckenridge, Colorado, around 2:00 p.m. with the intention of skiing down the East Ridge, making a turn, and then gliding down to the bottom.
The first man made it, but the second reportedly 'lost wind' and crashed near the top, injuring himself, Anna DeBattiste, spokeswoman for the Summit County Rescue Group, said.
Five hikers in the area stayed with the injured man, who is said to be an experienced speed gliding instructor, until emergency responders could arrive and begin the difficult and dangerous rescue effort.
Flight for Life's Lifeguard One helicopter, based in Denver, responded to the scene and carried three rescuers and medical gear to a landing area around 1,000 feet below the injured man, DeBattiste said.
A total of 29 rescuers from the three teams were dispatched into the field, most climbing the peak.
The evacuation took eight-hours and included a combination of hand-carrying, sliding in a toboggan and belayed lowering systems. The temperature near the summit of Quandary was estimated at -5 degrees.
He reached a waiting ambulance around 11:15 p.m. and was transported to the Summit County Medical Center with two broken legs. His condition was not released.
Speed gliding, also known as speed flying or sky gliding, involves skiing with a small parachute that allows the person to go airborne for short periods of time.
Rescue workers says the victim and a friend had launched from the summit of Quandary, a 14,000 foot peak just south of Breckenridge, Colorado, around 2:00 p.m. with the intention of skiing down the East Ridge, making a turn, and then gliding down to the bottom.
The first man made it, but the second reportedly 'lost wind' and crashed near the top, injuring himself, Anna DeBattiste, spokeswoman for the Summit County Rescue Group, said.
Five hikers in the area stayed with the injured man, who is said to be an experienced speed gliding instructor, until emergency responders could arrive and begin the difficult and dangerous rescue effort.
Flight for Life's Lifeguard One helicopter, based in Denver, responded to the scene and carried three rescuers and medical gear to a landing area around 1,000 feet below the injured man, DeBattiste said.
A total of 29 rescuers from the three teams were dispatched into the field, most climbing the peak.
The evacuation took eight-hours and included a combination of hand-carrying, sliding in a toboggan and belayed lowering systems. The temperature near the summit of Quandary was estimated at -5 degrees.
He reached a waiting ambulance around 11:15 p.m. and was transported to the Summit County Medical Center with two broken legs. His condition was not released.
