'Experienced climber' from New York dies after falling up to 400 feet while hiking in Colorado

An "experienced climber" from New York died after falling 300 to 400 feet while hiking a mountain in Colorado, authorities said.

Herbert "Hal" Wise, 53, was hiking the Rock of Ages trail in Wilson Peak, Colorado, around 15 miles southwest of Telluride and 118 miles northeast of Durango when he fell. The trail's elevation is between 10,383 to 13,400 feet and spans 3.7 miles.

Once rescuers reached Wise, they discovered he had died from his injuries, according to the sheriff's office. Authorities rescue efforts consisted of a 4-hour mission conducted with the assistance of the Colorado Highland Helicopters out Durango, the sheriff's office said.

When Wise fell, he suffered from a "pretty massive head injury," Emil Sante, the San Miguel County coroner, told USA TODAY.

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"This is a very unfortunate event, and our thoughts are with his family," Susan Lilly, the San Miguel County Sheriff's Office's public information officer, told USA TODAY.

He is survived by his mom and dad, Katheryn and Herbert Wise, who are both in their 80s, said Sante.

An experienced hiker

Wise had completed multiple hikes and mountain climbs similar to this, according to Lilly.

In June, he took a leave of absence from his job at Domino's Pizza, where he worked as a delivery driver, and traveled to Colorado, where he is believed to have climbed 26 peaks, his mother, Kathryn Wise, told USA TODAY.

Wise began hiking between 2006 and 2008, he also wrote and self-published three books, including "Tales from the Desert and Beyond," about his "adventures that took [him] across America..."

He has climbed the Adirondack Mountains in northeastern New York and Mt. Hood in Portland, Oregon. He also climbed all the White Mountains in New Hampshire, the highest peaks in Texas and Arizona and several mountains in California.

How to stay safe during a hike or climb

To stay safe during a hike or mountain climb, Lilly recommends people do the following:

• Hike with another person.
• Tell someone who is not tagging along where they are going and when they expect to return.
• Make sure cell phones are fully charged.
• Carry enough food, water, equipment and clothing to last long enough in case of an emergency, like being forced to stay overnight on the trail.

"It's important to be prepared for that," said Lilly.

This story was updated to add new information.