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Texas doctor killed climbing Colorado 14er

Posted at 7:31 AM, Sep 10, 2015
and last updated 2015-09-10 09:31:38-04

A prominent central Texas doctor has died after he fell while climbing Crestone Needle in Custer County.

The Denver Postreports that Dr. Matt Davis fell Wednesday while hiking a technical route up the 14,203-foot summit. The county sheriff's office says it took two days to retrieve Davis' body because of the rocky and steep conditions where he fell.

According to his medical profile, Davis was a trauma director for Baylor Scott & White Health. He specialized in emergency surgery and surgical critical care.

Officials say he had ties in the Colorado town of Westcliffe, but did not elaborate.

According to SummitPost.org, Crestone Needle is considered one of the hardest 14ers to climb because even its easiest route can be challenging for the novice peakbagger.