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A rock climber was rescued at Cracked Canyon near Ophir Monday, according to the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office.
The experienced local climber was injured in a 30-foot fall about 3 p.m.
A four-hour technical rescue operation was required in rugged, mountainous terrain, and involved three dozen staff and volunteers from multiple agencies.
The climber was transported from the scene by ambulance to a nearby Careflight helicopter and flown to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction.
Cracked Canyon is a remote climber’s crag in the vicinity of the Ophir Wall off Colorado Highway 145.
During the rescue effort Monday, Cracked Canyon was closed for the day. Ophir Road was limited to one lane of traffic, but has opened to two lanes of traffic.
Agencies involved included San Miguel Search and Rescue, Telluride Fire Protection District, and San Miguel Sheriff’s Office deputies.
