July 25, 1957
John Heckert began a glissade down a west-facing gully and lost control, unable to self-arrest, free-falling some 100 feet onto the boulders below.Source: Accidents in North American Mountaineering, 1958
September 8, 1981
Mike Harder became stranded in bad weather with his party at the base of Capitol Peak. He was overcome by a diabetic condition and was not able to be rescued.Source: Accidents in North American Mountaineering, 1982
July 27, 1991
Griff Smith, on a technical route up Capitol, fell while leading a pitch and was injured by rocks falling from above. He survived with an ankle fracture and a 'lump on the head'.Source: Accidents in North American Mountaineering, 1992
August 18, 1991
Alan Silverstein, leading a CMC outing, was climbing over K2 when a rock came loose and he fell 20 feet down a gully, sustaining cuts, bruises, and abrasions. He was able to walk out with minimal difficulty.Source: sangre-de-cristo.com/colorado
August 9, 1992
Ronald Palmer, 55 years old, from Santa Fe fell a fatal 1,000 down the West Face while traversing the Knife Edge.Source: Rocky Mountain News
April 23, 1994
Mark Tozer was struck by lightning and killed while near the summit of Capitol Peak while climbing with 2 friends. His body was not recovered until June 1994 due to heavy snowfall.Source: Rocky Mountain News
August 19, 1997
Derick Eckstrom, 36, was on an outing to show support for a Youth Boys Ranch when he fell a fatal 1,100 feet down the East side of the Knife Edge when a handhold came loose.Source: Rocky Mountain News
August 24, 1997
An unknown 21 year old male was hit by lightning and killed while hiking above Capitol Creek.Source: www.crh.noaa.gov
August 22, 2000
Daniel Leaman, 43, fell while traversing when a rockslide started and took him 150 feet down the side of K2.Source: Aspen Daily News
June 18, 2005
Kevin Smith was rappelling dwon Slingshot Couloir when a snow anchor pulled out and he slid to a ledge. He dug a place to rest and await help as Doug Shephard hiked out to seek rescue. Kevin was provided with rope assistance the following day and was able to hike out.Source: Rocky Mountain News
The Knife Edge - Capitol Peak