Shortly after 8 p.m. Friday, La Plata County Search and Rescue members began preparing a high-angle, technical rescue of a hunter suffering a medical condition in the Falls Creek area north of Durango.

Ron Corkish with search and rescue said the vertical length of the rescue would be several hundred feet, and he expected it to take more than an hour to complete. Anchors were in place at the top of the rescue, and a team was waiting at the bottom of the high-angle rescue to receive the patient once ground crews could bring the man to that point.

The man was in a difficult-to-reach location, Corkish said.

Thirteen rescuers were attempting to retrieve the man, including three from Durango Fire Protection District and 10 from search and rescue, including five trained in technical rescues.

“An individual is having a medical condition and is not able to make it back to the road,” Corkish said.

The hunter was with another person who is unharmed and able to help him. They lit a fire to keep warm, Corkish said.

Rescue workers received the call at 5:35 p.m. They were expected to be on scene late Friday.

This is a developing story. Check back with The Durango Herald for updates.

parmijo@durangoherald.com