Last month I broke my ankle descending from Windom Peak. This led to my companions and me unexpectedly spending a very cold night on the mountain wondering how we’d ever get off of it.

Our prayers were answered by a team from La Plata County Search and Rescue: Ron Corkish, Jaaron Mankins, Matt King, Stony Molina and volunteer U.S. Forest Service ranger Keith Roush.

All are heroic community volunteers who gave up their Sunday morning to extract me by helicopter, only to have to hike 10 miles out of Chicago Basin after rescuing me.

Thank you, La Plata County Search and Rescue, for rescuing me and for your service to the climbers and hikers visiting your beautiful community and mountains!

Bill Sublette

Orlando, Fla.