News - Local
Experienced climber from Colorado Springs dies in hiking accident
Posted: Jul 27, 2010 7:16 PM by Stefanie Boe
Updated: Jul 27, 2010 7:16 PM
The San Miguel County Coroner says a Colorado Springs man has died while climbing in Telluride.
Retired Army Colonel Peter Topp was killed when he was hit with boulders that came tumbling down behind a climber above him.
He was in a "treacherous" area between El Diente Peak and Mt. Wilson and was very high, around 14,000 feet, when he was struck by the rocks.
He was an experienced climber and he was wearing proper climbing equipment, including a helmet.
It happened Monday around 11:30am. Two others were hospitalized.
Topp's wife told the coroner that he had climbed 35 14ers.
Photo courtesy: Watch Newspapers and photographer, Brett Schreckengost
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