Altitude Sickness Claimed Life Of Collegeville Woman In Colorado

COLLEGEVILLE, PA — The cause of death of a 20-year-old woman who passed away while hiking in Colorado last week has been identified as acute altitude sickness.

In a Facebook post, the mother of Susanna DeForest said that her friends she was hiking with "did all they could to get help to her in time."

DeForest had just completed her sophomore year at the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design.

She was hiking with three friends up to the Conundrum Hot Springs in Pitkin County, Colorado last Thursday when she became ill. The Hot Springs are at an elevation of over 11,000 feet; the hike begins at around 8,700 feet.

Two of the friends hiked out to get help at around 8:30 p.m., while the third stayed with DeForest.

A helicopter was dispatched to pick her up but was unable to land until 5 a.m. due to weather issues, according to an Aspen Times report. By the time the chopper had landed, DeForest had passed away.

DeForest's mother, Kate DeForest, said that the family had visited Colorado this week. "We have made a trip to Colorado to see her one last time and visit a place she loved here," she said in her heartfelt Facebook post.

The memorial service for Susanna will be held on Sunday at 4 p.m. at Valley View Community Church, which is located on 778 Sunnyside Avenue in Audubon.

All are welcome.

Patch file photo