A scary situation again unfolded in the mountains of the Aspen area, prompting multiple rescue missions just days after a backcountry skier died while attempting to reach Margy’s Hut.

According to Mountain Rescue Aspen, an initial medical SOS alert was received at about 9:40 p.m. on Sunday evening from the Goodwin-Greene Hut. Located between Aspen and Crested Butte, this hut is described by the 10th Mountain Division as “one of the most difficult to find huts, especially in a storm.” It’s located at about 11,700 feet of elevation, with the route there being about 6.6 miles through unmaintained and unmarked winter terrain. Some sources note that elevation gain along the way is about 3,000 feet, too.

An initial rescue mission was prompted when two backcountry skiers of a group of seven ended up being unable to make it to the hut amid extreme cold with temperatures estimated at -22 degrees with strong winds present, as well. The weather conditions complicated the ensuing rescue mission, which involved aerial assets and mobilizing a team of snowmobiles.

Multiple attempts were made to insert a medical crew via helicopter – this effort was complicated by snow and winter weather, but was eventually successful. Two hypothermic rescue subjects were located, one being non-responsive and in critical condition. The pair was loaded into a Careflight helicopter and transported to the Aspen Valley Health medical center. Due to lack of space in the helicopter, a member of Mountain Rescue Aspen was left behind and later picked up on a return trip. The team was out of the field by about 3:45 a.m. on the following morning.

Later on Monday, Mountain Rescue Aspen responded to a call for help from the same seven-person – now five-person – group again, with a call for assistance coming in at about 11:53 a.m. All five members of the group who remained in the field reported cold weather-related injuries, with one person said to be suffering from loss of eyesight.

While a Flight for Life helicopter out of Frisco was unable to assist Mountain Rescue Aspen in the follow-up mission due to windy conditions, a CareFlight of the Rockies helicopter was again able to help.

The helicopter landed about 500 feet from the Goodwin-Greene Hut, and upon assessing the rescue subjects, it was determined that two people had sustained serious cold weather-related injuries. These two were also flown to Aspen Valley Health for additional care. The remaining three had minor injuries and were left behind at their own request. The Mountain Rescue Aspen field team was able to reach the scene and provide some additional care to the remaining skiers. According to a report on the matter, all members of the party suffered frostbite.

“When embarking on a hut trip, your group must be prepared and equipped for a bivouac, self-rescue, evacuation, or handling of other challenges and misfortunes that may be encountered in the backcountry,” read advice from Mountain Rescue Aspen in a press release related to the rescue. “If a member of your group is injured or becomes ill at a hut or along the trail, or doesn’t make it to the hut, you cannot rely on immediate outside help. About half of all search and rescue incidents within the hut system are searches for overdue skiers or snowshoers who get lost or underestimate travel time and don’t arrive at the hut as planned. Avoid mistakes that can lead to emergencies and a need for rescue.”

Mountain Rescue Aspen also provided a list of common mistakes that are made when it comes to backcountry skiing hut trips. That list can be found below:

“Common pre-trip mistakes include:

• Not researching the route, weather or avalanche conditions.
• Not downloading .GPX files on your phone or GPS device in advance, so they can be accessed without service; not fully charging those devices; or not knowing how to use this information.
• Overestimating your group’s abilities.
• Not knowing what to do in case of accident or illness.
• Choosing an unreliable group communication plan, such as weak 2-way radios.
• Relying on a snowmobile to haul critical gear and food.
• Choosing to go on a hut trip with a known injury or illness.
• Not having a text-enabled satellite communication device, such as an InReach or newer cell phone, that can send and receive SOS messages via satellite in an emergency — or not knowing how to use it to communicate.

Common mistakes during the trip include:

• Getting a late start.
• Poor packing/equipment choices, such as overpacking of non-essential items that will weigh down one’s pack, and/or not bringing essential emergency gear.
• Underestimating travel time with packs and snow conditions, and the many factors of traveling as a group that can lead to slower rate of travel.
• Intentional separation among the group.
• Dead batteries in navigation and communication devices.
• Not establishing or following through on clear communication plans among your group.”

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