South Arapaho Peak Accidents



July 18, 1960

David Cowperthwaite, Karen Cowperthwaite, and Richard Raymond were killed by lightning
while climbing the glacier up towards South Arapaho Peak. David died enroute trying to reach the
trailhead from shock.
Source: Accidents In North American Mountaineering, 1961

May 31, 1990

David Paddon and Katherine Choules, along Paul Fretwell, all British, became
trapped in a severe storm that proved fatal for Paddon and Choules.
Source: Rocky Mountain News

December 18, 1999

Justin Colonna was missing after an avalanche appeared to have swept him down the peak.
His body was found six months later at a significant distance away from the suspected slide area.
It is not known whether he tried to hike out after the avalanche or whether search and rescue teams
initially searched the wrong area.
Source: Rocky Mountain News

July 6, 2006

A 16-year-old and a 17-year-old slipped on Arapaho Glacier, one suffering a broken leg and another cuts on his head. They were assisted by Rocky Mountain Rescue.
Source: Channel 7 News

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