20 firefighters called to Garden of the Gods for climber rescue

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - Twenty Colorado Springs firefighters rescued a climber at Garden of the Gods Monday night.

A 911 call came in just after 9 p.m. that a 20-year-old had fallen and was stuck on Kindergarten Rock, located inside Juniper Way Loop south of the park’s main rock formations.

Firefighters had the man down within 90 minutes of the 911 call.

His condition has not been updated as of Tuesday morning.

Garden of the Gods does allow rock climbing in designated areas of the park. If venturing out, keep these safety rules in mind:

- You must always have a permit to climb at Garden of the Gods or other popular locales like North Cheyenne Canon or Red Rock Canyon Open Space.

- When climbing, have proper gear. Scrambling, which is climbing on a rock 10 feet above its base without equipment, is illegal.

- Do not climb sandstone when wet -- something to keep in mind when the Pikes Peak region has had rain!

- The city of Colorado Springs asks climbers and other recreationists to follow its “Leave No Trace” principles. Do not use chalk or any substitutes.

And keep the park’s hours in mind: Garden of the Gods is open from 5 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 1-April 30 and 5 a.m.-10 p.m. May 1-Oct. 31.

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