A recent search and rescue mission that took place along an alternate route that travels to the top of one of Colorado’s most popular fourteeners highlights how a failure of gear can put a hiker in dire straits.

According to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, a juvenile hiker set out to summit 13,433-foot Grizzly Peak in recent days, which is located off of Loveland Pass. With winter conditions present, the hiker was wearing spikes for the route, with the route being about 5.5 miles round-trip with a vertical gain of about 2,950 feet. Cupid Peak at 13,117 feet is generally summited along the way.

After reaching the top of Grizzly Peak, the hiker made the decision to push on toward Torreys Peak, which means extending the hike to about 10 miles round-trip with a total elevation gain of 5,500 feet. The 14ers.com website described this hike as a “rollercoaster route,” involving numerous ups and downs along the way, all above treeline and amid lacking oxygen. A hike of this nature can be quite exhausting, especially in snow.

It wasn’t the physical exertion that left this hiker stranded above 12,500 feet, though, it was a failure of gear. After summiting Torreys Peak, the hiker started to make his way back to his vehicle. Unfortunately, his microspikes broke, which resulted in him being unable to navigate icy stretches, thus leaving him stranded on the mountain. Thankfully, the hiker was able to use his emergency gear to call for help.

Members of the Summit County Sheriff’s Office and Summit County Rescue Group personnel arranged for a Flight for Life helicopter to respond. The helicopter picked up a member of the rescue group and then landed near the stranded hiker, who was found on the saddle that dips down between Torreys Peak and Grizzly Peak. The hiker was found to be uninjured and was ultimately reunited with his father in good condition.

This situation goes to show how it’s important to be redundant when it comes to gear. When the success of an entire adventure relies on a certain piece of gear functioning without failure, it’s important to have a back-up option. In the case of microspikes, bringing along a spare pair is something that won’t add too much weight to the bag. It’s also worth highlighting how this juvenile hiker was prepared for an emergency situation by having a means of communication. Being able to effectively call for help amid an emergency may be live-saving, especially in the extreme conditions that a Colorado winter brings.

STAY INFORMED: Get free Colorado news with our daily newsletter (Click here)