Help Build a Record of Fatalities on Colorado’s 14ers

[Timmy]

Hey fellow 14er enthusiasts!

I’ve been a longtime member of 14ers.com, previously served on a Search and Rescue (SAR) team, and have had the privilege of summiting all of Colorado’s 14ers.

Over the years, I’ve become increasingly interested in the history of accidents and fatalities on Colorado’s fourteeners. I recently created a website dedicated to documenting these incidents and preserving the stories and details behind them.

The first known fatality I’ve documented is the 1925 death of Agnes Vaille on Longs Peak. More than 100 years later, I felt there should be a centralized historical record of the people who have lost their lives on Colorado’s highest peaks—not simply a list of names and dates, but a place where we can preserve the circumstances and details of each incident.

I published the site yesterday, and I’d like to invite the 14er community to help build this record.

Here's a link to the site: https://deaths-on-colorados-fourteeners.netlify.app/

If you have firsthand knowledge, historical information, or details about a fatal incident on one of Colorado’s 14ers, I’d love for you to contribute.

Submit an incident here:
https://deaths-on-colorados-fourteeners ... ubmit.html

After submitting your request, you’ll receive an email with access to a form where you can provide the information you have.

I’ve also bulk-uploaded records from the 2010–2017 study, but those records contain very limited information beyond the basic incident data. If you have additional knowledge or details about any of these incidents, please consider submitting them. I can review the information and merge it into the existing records.

My goal is to make this a community-built historical resource—one that not only records when and where these tragedies occurred, but also preserves the stories and circumstances behind them.

If you have any questions, concerns, corrections, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly.

Thanks, and I hope you’ll help me build this resource for the 14er community.

[Wentzl]

I found wreckage of a plane near the summit of Wilson Pk some years ago. Two people died in the crash. Not searched you record yet, but would they count?

[Timmy]

Sure, the elevation of the mountain most likely a contributing factor. Just as if a rescue operation that has a fatality is relevant, it should be recorded.

When evaluating all the deaths in the Grand Canyon, for example, almost one third are from aviation disasters.

Please submit any and all information that you have. The causes are currently: "Fall", "Falling rock/ice", "Avalanche", "Cardiac event", "Lightning", "Unclear"; however, I can add a cause or enter a one-off scenario.

[Hungry Jack]

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/291809

[nyker]

Interesting, thanks for the effort on this.

Have you seen this book? Might help fill in some details:
https://www.cmc.org/books/books/colorad ... nd-edition

Assume you've combed though the Accidents in NA Mountaineering/Climbing?

Are some of the gaps in years due to just not having data presumably?

[Jorts]

For what it’s worth, there are 14er deaths that have virtually no record outside of the internal records of the authorities who performed the body recovery. Sometimes families request to not have the identity of the deceased revealed nor the circumstances of the accident reported.

If you want this to be comprehensive and thorough, it might be worth reaching out to the PIO of Colorado SAR teams that have 14ers in their jurisdictions. The PIO could be a SAR member or someone from the SO. They might be able to provide dates of fatal accidents at specific locations. Really depends on record keeping and their desire to comply with your request I guess.

[climbingcue]

Timmy you have a PM from me.

[Jorts]

There were at least a few fatalities before Vaille on Longs: Carrie Welton
Frank Stryker
Gregory Aubuchon

[MountainHiker]

Here is a link to my post on witnessing the 9/15/2012 fatality on North Maroon. Other details including the climber's name & age are in the thread. viewtopic.php?p=452008&hilit=north+maro ... nt#p452008

[ekalina]

I'm not sure about this project. There are undoubtedly some families that would rather not have their loved ones listed in such a database. Calling SAR teams and others to collect data also requires them to dedicate resources to this effort.

In exchange for that effort, how do we as a community know that the database will be updated and maintained for many years into the future, and how do we know it will ever be reasonably complete? Without these assurances, the data collection resources and the risk of reopening old wounds seem like a waste. If it were to be undertaken at all, this project seems better suited to a government entity or an organization like CFI that could carry it out in an official manner.

My two cents.

[greenonion]

I'm not sure about this project. There are undoubtedly some families that would rather not have their loved ones listed in such a database. Calling SAR teams and others to collect data also requires them to dedicate resources to this effort.

In exchange for that effort, how do we as a community know that the database will be updated and maintained for many years into the future, and how do we know it will ever be reasonably complete? Without these assurances, the data collection resources and the risk of reopening old wounds seem like a waste. If it were to be undertaken at all, this project seems better suited to a government entity or an organization like CFI that could carry it out in an official manner.

My two cents.

+1

[wmagnuson7]

I think this is a great idea, but would completely anonymize the names (not even use initials) of the deceased.

Unfortunately, many who climb 14'ers don't understand the inherent risks and dangers associated with these mountains, and such a collection would shake them awake to the reality that sadly, people do perish on these mountains. I cannot fathom the innumerable times I have been almost back to the trailhead at 10:00/11:00 a.m. after summiting and seen others just begin their hike completely unprepared (no layers, no backpack with water/food, poor footwear, etc.) with a borderline afternoon forecast and clouds present.