Overview

• A 53-year-old climber injured his wrist while glissading down Snowmass Mountain and used Emergency SOS via satellite to alert a family member for help.
• Pitkin County dispatchers received the distress call at 8:25 a.m. and Mountain Rescue Aspen’s 17-member team reached the climber at 10,980 feet by 5:30 p.m.
• Emergency SOS via satellite is available free on iPhone 14 and later models and Apple Watch, enabling contact with contacts or emergency services beyond cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.
• In the wake of the rescue, the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office urged outdoor adventurers to carry satellite-capable devices and practice the messaging protocols before remote outings.
• Since its May 2023 debut, Apple’s satellite SOS service has been credited with multiple rescues worldwide and remains free through November 2025.