A 52-year-old Denver man suffered serious injuries after losing control and tumbling “head over heels” while glissading down the Conundrum Couloir near Aspen on Thursday, September 26, according to the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office.

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched around 1:00 PM via a spot device and a 911 call. The man was hiking alone in a snowfield just below the 14,265 foot Castle Peak at the time of the incident.

Glissading is the act of sliding down a steep snow or scree covered slope on the seat of your pants with the use of an ice axe.

Three bystanders helped escort the injured hiker to the Montezuma Basin area, just below Castle Peak where he met up with Mountain Rescue personnel and was taken to Castle Creek Road. He was then transported to a nearby hospital for skeletal injuries, including a cut to the back of his head.

Special thanks to crews who assisted in this mountain rescue including the three hikers, the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Rescue Aspen, and Aspen Ambulance.

If you’re out there glissading, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential dangers. This time of year can be particularly tricky as snowfields become firmer, rougher, and faster. While glissading is a fun and exhilarating way to descend, it can also be very dangerous and often results in life-threatening situations. As a safety precaution, always tell someone where you’re headed, the trail you’re hiking, and when you plan to return. The mountains are inherently dangerous. Please be safe out there.

Editor’s Note: Here’s a  quick piece regarding why we’ve decided to include accident and death coverage in our collection of content.