The drama unfolded on Friday, when a group of 15 people from an unnamed company set out on an adventure up a mountain path that climbed Mount Shabano, 14,000 feet (4,300 m) above sea level.
Authorities said in a statement that the climber reached the summit on his own at about 11:30 a.m. local time (5:30 p.m. GMT) but “lost his sense of direction” during the descent.
His colleagues reportedly told him he was on the wrong path and suggested he go back to his original path.
But as a strong storm passed, bringing “strong winds and freezing rain” and cutting out phone signals, the teammates became even more lost.
Chaffee County Search and Rescue was alerted at 9 p.m. that evening and dispatched two teams and a drone pilot, but bad weather hindered the effort.
A helicopter was also sent, but rescuers tracked the man's last movements but could not find him. He was wearing dark clothing.
Additional assistance was requested from several agencies in the area Saturday morning, and authorities called it a “massive search effort.”
Eventually, the missing man regained enough cell phone signal to make an emergency call and was found in a ravine.
He said he fell at least 20 times and couldn't get up.
According to officials, his rescue ultimately required technical rope rappelling and “incredible coordination and teamwork.”
The man's condition is unknown after he was treated at a hospital. The BBC has reached out to Chaffee County Search and Rescue for further comment.
They warned people in a statement to never hike alone and to wear bright-colored clothing and bring essentials.
“This hiker was very lucky that he had cell service restored and was still conscious and able to call 911,” they said.
