Ouray Rescue Team Saves Stranded Skiers on Icy Ridge

When two skiers became stranded on a steep icefall in the dark on Angel Knob's East Ridge, a team of volunteers didn't hesitate to climb into the frozen night to reach them.

The Ouray Mountain Rescue Team received the call on the evening of January 30. The skiers had gotten stuck while descending the ridge as darkness fell, trapped on icy terrain too dangerous to navigate without daylight.

Three rescue volunteers immediately headed out as a "hasty team" to locate the stranded pair. Their mission was simple but vital: reach the skiers, assess their condition, and keep them warm through the long, cold night ahead.

The rescue team had to climb to the top of several ice pitches just to reach the base of where the skiers waited. By first light, they made contact and began providing warmth to the cold but uninjured adventurers.

A second team deployed that morning with food, supplies, and traction equipment to help escort the skiers down the treacherous Angel Creek drainage. Every step required careful coordination on the icy slopes.

Why This Inspires

This rescue showcases the remarkable dedication of volunteer mountain rescue teams across Colorado. These trained volunteers drop everything to help strangers in trouble, often spending entire nights in harsh conditions without hesitation.

The hasty team's decision to reach the skiers immediately rather than wait for morning likely prevented a much more serious outcome. Hours exposed to freezing temperatures on an icefall can quickly become life threatening.

By noon on January 31, everyone was back in town safely. The skiers walked away without injuries, grateful for the volunteers who spent a sleepless night ensuring their survival.

Mountain rescue volunteers train year-round for moments like this, mastering technical climbing, medical skills, and cold-weather survival. They ask for nothing in return except that adventurers come home safe.