Rescuers climb into high country west of Boulder, save injured skier

Rescuers from two counties climbed into wind-whipped high country above Rollinsville Sunday evening and helped an injured backcountry skier.

The rescuers reached the skier late Sunday. “He has serious injuries to the lower part of his body,” a Gilpin County dispatcher said.

The man had been skiing with a friend. They apparently set out from the heavily-used Forest Lakes Trailhead. High winds prevented use of a helicopter. Boulder County deputies also were assisting in the rescue. The rescuers were still out Sunday at 8 p.m.

Clear Creek County crews separately were responding to possible trouble involving snowmobilers off Jones Pass, west of Empire.