Firefighters Rescue Ungeared Climbers From 20-75 Feet at Devil's Lake, Garden of the Gods

Rescue teams responded to separate incidents involving climbers in two U.S. state parks. In Devil's Lake State Park, Wisconsin, a climber who fell 20-30 feet was rescued using a high-angle rope system and airlifted to a hospital due to injuries sustained in a remote area. Meanwhile, in Colorado Springs' Garden of the Gods park, a man climbed roughly 75 feet without any gear or permit and became stranded, prompting a high-angle rope rescue by the Colorado Springs Fire Department; he was safely brought down without injuries. Park officials emphasized the importance of following safety regulations, including using proper equipment and obtaining permits, as technical climbing is allowed only with appropriate gear, while rock scrambling above 10 feet without protection is illegal. The incidents highlight both the risks of climbing without adherence to park rules and the expertise of rescue crews in responding to emergencies.