Several climbers rescued at Red Rock Canyon amid ‘tragic event’
Two groups of climbers were rescued on Saturday afternoon at Red Rock Canyon National Recreation Area, according to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Search and Rescue team.
Four people were climbing the route “Cat in the hat” in Pine Creek when they got their rope stuck and were unable to free it.
Two volunteers hiked in and climbed the route at 3 p.m., reaching the four people at the second pitch, according to search and rescue.
In a follow-up comment on its Instagram, the search and rescue team referred to the group witnessing a “tragic event.”
“The original plan was to assist them in rappelling the route just in case any other problems occurred, but unfortunately the incident occurred across the canyon,” Metro search and rescue wrote in the follow-up comment. “That was a tragic event to witness for anyone involved all on its own let alone continuing to need to continue a descent.”
At the same time, another rescue operation was underway at the opposite side of the canyon, and the team responded with an aircraft. The four were removed through a landing on a ledge at the pitch, and flown to Pine Creek parking lot. The victims were transferred to Bureau of Land Management and Metro officers.
The search and rescue team then responded to the incident in the other canyon.
Contact Katie Futterman at kfutterman@reviewjournal.com. Follow @ktfutts on X and @katiefutterman.bsky.social.
