Tributes have been paid to a “great guy with a big heart” who died while climbing a notorious 14,000ft mountain.
Jack “Andrew” Skipper suffered fatal injuries in a fall on Maroon Peak near Aspen, Colorado.
The 68-year-old, from Santa Fe, Tennessee, had travelled alone to the Rocky Mountains on 24 August and was expected back in Nashville on 2 September.
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Concern was raised after he failed to return and had not been heard from in several days, as reported by Need To Know.
The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an overdue climber on 2 September.
Information found inside his rental vehicle indicated that he planned to climb in the Maroon Bells area, which includes Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak.
An aerial search was launched the following day by Mountain Rescue Aspen and CareFlight of the Rockies.
His body was spotted in a steep gully southeast of Maroon Peak known as the Y Couloir.
He was reportedly well away from the mountain’s standard climbing route and in highly technical, unstable terrain at an elevation of about 13,200ft.
The position of the body and danger posed by falling rocks meant it could not immediately be recovered.
The US Forest Service closed Maroon Peak while a complex retrieval operation was organised.
Rescuers began the mission shortly after midnight on 8 September.
At first light, a Flight for Life helicopter inserted three Mountain Rescue Aspen climbers on a ridge south of the peak.
They climbed for around an hour until they reached a point about 1,000ft above Mr Skipper before rappelling down the Y Couloir.
No suitable helicopter with the required long-line capability was available in Colorado, prompting the Utah Department of Public Safety Aviation Unit to send an aircraft from Salt Lake City.
Mr Skipper’s body was lifted from the mountainside and flown to T Lazy 7 Ranch, where the Pitkin County Coroner’s Office was waiting.
The operation was completed at approximately 9:45 am.
The coroner subsequently confirmed that Mr Skipper died from multiple blunt-force injuries and ruled his death an accident.
His family was notified and kept informed during the investigation and recovery.
Friends and former classmates have since shared heartfelt tributes to the experienced outdoorsman.
Mr Skipper was a member of Hixson High School’s class of 1976.
One person said: “We were all looking forward to seeing him in a couple of weeks at our reunion.
“I know he was doing what he loved.
“We will see him in Heaven for a reunion with Jesus.
“Andrew was such a nice, friendly guy. Praying for his family.”
Another person, who grew up in the same neighbourhood, said: “This is so very sad.
“He was such a great guy with a big heart.
“He will truly be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
A third person added: “That is truly sad news.
“Though I wish the accident didn’t happen, I’m glad he was at least doing something he loved and in a beautiful place.”
Mr Skipper was one of two climbers to die in separate incidents near Aspen within days of each other.
Andrew Tyler Sikes, 37, from Westminster, Colorado, died after falling on the north face of Castle Peak on 6 September.
Mountain Rescue Aspen reached him shortly before 4 pm, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The coroner said Mr Sikes also died from multiple blunt-force injuries and ruled his death an accident.
His body was recovered from the mountain that day.
The Pitkin County Coroner’s Office thanked Mountain Rescue Aspen, CareFlight of the Rockies, Flight for Life and the Utah Department of Public Safety Aero Bureau for carrying out the operations in challenging backcountry terrain.
Following Mr Skipper’s recovery, rescuers urged climbers to leave a detailed itinerary with someone they trust, including their intended route, expected return time and contingency plans.
They also advised people entering areas without mobile phone coverage to carry a reliable two-way satellite communicator.
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