While backpacking along the Colorado Trail on Aug. 12, an event occurred that left my friend Alex Stucky and I devastated, bewildered but also in incredible awe. In an evening without a whisper of wind, a large dead pine tree uprooted itself, fell and killed our friend Beth Skelley.
We do not wish to relive or retell the events of that night other than to bring to light the incredible human compassion, selflessness and heroic actions of the total strangers who literally came to our rescue. No words can convey the depths of our gratitude or how truly amazing you all are. So our humble thanks goes out to the fellow hikers, search and rescue, hospital staff, law enforcement and friends who were there for us.
To fellow Colorado Trail hikers, Terry Vernon and Kevin Bethke, who made camp next to ours. When the tree fell, they were at our site in an instant, helping us to free our friend. They were calm, focused and dedicated as they did CPR for as long as humanly possible and then some. And while Alex and I were being treated for shock, they stayed with our friend Beth until search and rescue returned to move her body.
To the Flight For Life helicopter staff Heather Lauritzen (RN), Taylor Moore (paramedic) and Dave Minton (pilot) who flew out in the middle of the night to a remote and dangerous site in the hopes of saving our friend. Bushwhacking through willows, rocks and wet marshy meadows to find us, render aid and to console us when grief set in.
To the three young bike packers who went looking for help, and who led the flight nurses in and out of our campsite carrying our packs so we could better navigate the bushes and rocks.
To the Durango Mercy Regional Medical Center emergency staff on duty, Josh Magyar (chaplan), Michelle Hayo (head nurse), Sara Hunt (social worker) and reception staff Patricia Anderson and Victoria Davis, who helped us keep shock at bay and helped navigate the strange reality we were in.
To Missy Thompson, Tiffany Brainerd and Richard Cost who, in the middle of the night, organized and drove hours in the dark to help Alex and I search for our friend Beth’s boyfriend. And to the La Plata County Sheriff who ultimately found him.
To the San Juan County Coroner Keri, Metzler, who expertly and compassionately helped us navigate family notification and other sad details that come with the death of a loved one.
And finally, to the Flight For Life helicopter staff Matt Hanson (pilot), Maggie Sullivan (RN), and Matt Sullivan (paramedic) who returned Beth’s body the following day.
Beth was a strong believer in community, and there could have been no finer example than the people of Durango, Silverton and the Colorado Trail who guided and helped us through those days.
With much gratitude and love,
Alex Stucky and Kelly Prendergast
