Maple Grove Teen Dies Climbing In Colorado

MAPLE GROVE, MN — Foul play is not suspected in the death of a Maple Grove teen who was climbing at a park in Boulder County, Colorado in the last moments before he died. On Sunday, Aug. 6 at about 5:58 p.m., Boulder County Communications received a report of a fallen climber near the base of the First Flatiron, above the Blue Bell Shelter at Chitaqua Park. The call came in from a hiker in the area.

Carter Christensen, 17, was subsequently located near the bottom of the First Flatiron by a wilderness first responder and another hiker in the area. He was not breathing and had no pulse. Medical treatment was attempted, but it was to no avail given the extent of the injuries.

A Boulder City Open Space Ranger arrived soon thereafter.

Christensen was pronounced deceased by medical personnel, having suffered significant trauma from the fall, according to a news release. (For more local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Minnesota Patch, click here to find your local Minnesota Patch. Also, follow us on Facebook, and if you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Christensen posted an image on social media shortly before the call reporting a fallen climber (shown above).

“Carter was a lover of the outdoors and an adventurous spirit and was experiencing joy
in summiting the First Flatiron in Chautauqua Park," Christensen's family said in a statement.

"He graduated High School in June 2017 with aspirations of becoming a Navy Seal. Carter came to Colorado to be outdoors in a place that he loves. He wanted to spend some time with friends in Longmont while he trained for his Navy Seal enrollment."

"Carter will be loved and missed by all of his family and friends."

Image via Boulder County Coroner’s Office