In the rugged terrain of Eagle County, Colorado, where majestic peaks frame the skyline, adventurers often seek the thrill of climbing its infamous fourteeners—mountains that rise over 14,000 feet. Among these peaks lies Holy Cross, a mountain that would test the limits of two young climbers, Tommy and Matt, during their harrowing ascent in November 2016.
The Allure of Holy Cross
Tommy and Matt were not the typical inexperienced hikers. Both had grown up in Colorado, with years of mountain experience under their belts. Their shared passion for climbing blossomed in high school, where they spent countless hours honing their skills. Tommy described Matt as someone who knew the backcountry well—“the person you want to have around,” he said, highlighting Matt’s calming presence amid the chaos of climbing. Excitement and caution blended as they set their sights on Holy Cross, attracted not just by its elevation but by the enticing cooler—a narrow gully carved into the mountain.
Eager to add Holy Cross to their list of conquered peaks, they planned their trip around fall break, choosing to embark just before a forecasted storm. They figured they could climb the mountain and return before the weather turned—but nature had other plans.
Ascent Into Uncertainty
The duo set off, hiking through the early morning, excitement pulsing through them. As they neared the cooler, they felt the conditions shift. The accumulation of snow increased, transforming the hike from an exciting adventure into what felt like a march towards impending doom. With the snow deepening, Matt remembered the difficult decision that lay ahead: “At this point, we don’t really think we can go back down anymore; this is the point of no return.”
As they ascended, visibility deteriorated, and the snow began falling heavily, shrouding them in a blizzard. Wind and snow combined to create a relentless cold, which bit at their skin. Tommy recalled vividly the moment he touched his cheek, realizing it was smeared with blood from the harsh conditions.
In a moment of stark realization, they faced the bitter truth: “There’s no room for error; we don’t want to be dealing with a dead body.” And with no ropes or harnesses, the choice was clear—they had to keep climbing.
Nightfall and Survival
Upon reaching the summit around 7 p.m., exhaustion washed over them. They managed to call home, telling their families they had reached the top but downplayed the severity of the storm raging around them. “If you don’t hear from us tomorrow morning, call the sheriff,” they warned, a haunting foreshadowing of what lay ahead.
As night descended, the reality of their situation hit hard. They had conquered the summit, but the daunting climb back down loomed ahead. With fatigue setting in, they realized that descending this mountain in such conditions would be perilous. Instead, they found a rock alcove and attempted to ride out the blizzard, but the cold was unrelenting. Each hour of chilling night brought frostbite looming on the outskirts of their consciousness.
To stave off hypothermia, they took off their frozen socks and shared body heat by placing their feet in each other’s armpits—a desperate measure that underlined the gravity of their situation. Shawled in darkness, the two grappled with the chilling thoughts of mortality: “I’m okay with dying,” one of them admitted, a sentiment echoed in that surreal moment of acceptance.
Rescue or Further Descent?
The morning brought harsh reality—light but burdened with snow. As they began their descent, the challenges multiplied. With snow up to their hips, they plotted a course, but soon realized they had drifted off course, ending up in the wrong valley. Losing track of their direction intensified the struggle, and despite their exhaustion, they pressed on, their hope diminishing.
After wandering for hours and encountering the haunting footprints of someone long gone, they spotted a search and rescue helicopter overhead, their spirits igniting with hope. But when the helicopter didn’t land and continued flying, despair washed over them. In a moment of desperation, the duo turned inward, reciting the Lord’s Prayer, their mantra in the face of uncertainty.
The Moment of Deliverance
Finally—after what felt like an eternity of wandering—a glimmer of chance returned. The helicopter, equipped with trained rescue personnel, came back into view. A side door opened, and they were hoisted to safety, utterly relieved yet grappling with frostbite that had set in due to prolonged exposure.
They were rushed to the hospital, confronted with the physical toll of their adventure—frostbite wounds resembling burnt flesh were a sobering reminder of the perilous challenges they faced. As Thanksgiving approached, their families rallied around them, relieved to share the holiday together, framed by the surreal experience of survival.
A New Perspective on Adventure
Looking back, the experience on Holy Cross endowed both climbers with profound insights about trust, resilience, and the bonds of friendship shaped by shared struggles. Amid frozen feet and the threat of nature’s wrath, they discovered the threads that intertwined their narratives—it was not just the thrill of climbing that pulled them, but the underlying beauty in cherishing the fragile moments life offers.
As the snow finally melted into memory, Tommy and Matt carried forward a newfound respect for nature—a reminder of its power and unpredictability. Their adventure on Holy Cross was not just a story of endurance but one of profound connection, pushing the limits of the human spirit and the enduring joys of life.
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