July 17th, 2010

A Boulder climber, Will Esposito was rescued Saturday after a fall while climbing on the east face of  Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, CO.

Esposito was on a technical climb of the route, Stettner's Ledges (5.7+) above the Mills Glacier when around 2 p.m. he apparently took a 20-foot lead fall, badly injuring both of his ankles. Two RMNP Rangers, on a backcountry patrol on Longs Peak, reached him at  5 p.m. after being alerted of the situation.

Esposito's rescue was sped-up as he was lowered three rope lengths by his climbing partner, reducing the distance of the rescue operation.  Combined with the assistance of more than a half dozen climbers who descended from their day's ventures on Longs Peak to assist in the rescue, Esposito was carried by litter to the waiting Flight for Life helicopter that landed between the Mills Glacier and Chasm Lake.  Esposito was flown directly to the Boulder Community Hospital from the landing site at around 6:30 p.m.