Estes Park, CO – A 55-year-old Chicago area man has been hospitalized following a 900-foot fall while backcountry skiing in Rocky Mountain National Park.nScott Sedlack, of Lindenhurst, Ill., fell early Wednesday afternoon while skiing with two companions in the The Drift area of the park. Rangers, who were contacted by cell phone reached the victim at 10,600 feet around 3 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. Larimer County Search and Rescue worked with park rangers to evacuate the victim by rescue sled as the area was being buffeted by high winds and limited visibility.

Sedlack was transported from the trailhead by ambulance to Estes Park Medical Center and was subsequently airlifted to Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, Colo. His injuries and hospital status are unknown at this time.