‘Experienced Climber’ Dies After 400-Foot Fall While Hiking in Colorado

Mar. 15, 2025

Herbert Wise.Photo:Hal Wise/Facebook

Hal Wise/Facebook

A hiking trip came to a tragic end after a man fell hundreds of feet to his death in Colorado.

On Wednesday, Sept. 25, the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office and the San Miguel County Search and Rescue responded to a call about “an injured climber on Wilson Peak, approximately 15 miles SW of Telluride,” the sheriff’s officesaid in post.

The Rochester, New York, resident, 53, was described as “an experienced climber,” who was on a solo hiking trip along “the Rock of Ages trail and, while ascending, fell approximately 300-400 feet suffering a head injury,” officials said.

Wilson Peak Colorado.San Miguel County Sheriff/Facebook

San Miguel County Sheriff/Facebook

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Representatives from the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Per the outlet, the San Miguel County Coroner, Emil Sante, said that when Wise fell off the mountain, he sustained “a massive head injury.”

Wise’s hiking expertise dates back to the mid-2000s, when he climbed several mountains, including the Adirondack Mountains, Mount Hood, all the White Mountains and several peaks in states such as California, Arizona and Texas. He also published three books documenting his hiking history.

His mother, Kathryn Wise, told the outlet that following his leave of absence in June to hike, Wise had climbed 26 peaks.

source: people.com