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wa_hoo
May 30, 2005, 2:33 AM
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Another trajedy - this ones is tough to figure out so far. This info is from the Boulder Daily Camera newspaper today, Sunday:
A 24-year-old man fell from the Boulder Canyon rock he was climbing Saturday afternoon and died, despite taking several safety precautions during the climb, the Boulder County Sheriff's Office said.
Austin Barker, of Louisville, fell 25 to 40 feet from a rock in the Elephant Buttress climbing area, Sheriff's Sgt. Greg Schumann said. He was on the third buttress. The area is near mile marker 40 off of Colo. 119 in the canyon.
Sheriff's investigators said that the man was climbing with proper equipment and a training partner. "Everything looked good — the gear, the technique, the training," said Jay Stalnacker, emergency service coordinator for the Boulder County Sheriff's Office. "Nothing seemed to be out of place. It's being chalked up as a true accident, a tragedy."
Although the sheriff's office is still investigating what caused the fall, Stalnacker said it is possible that pieces of "protection" came loose. Ropes are clipped onto "protection" devices, metal anchors that are wedged into rocks, he said.
Stalnacker said neither the rope nor harness that the man was using broke, and there did not seem to be any other equipment failures. The man was also wearing a helmet, Stalnacker said.
"It's just a shame," he said. "It affects more than just the family of the victim. It affects the climbing community and the rescuers. They are really bummed out about this one today."
About 30 rescuers responded to the scene at about 2:40 p.m. and worked to revive the man for 2 1/2 hours. Flight for Life was called to the scene, but the man was never flown to a hospital, Stalnacker said. The friend that was climbing with Barker was distraught, sheriff's officials said.
Rescuers on Saturday were also called to a second incident in the Mount Sanitas area about 3:45 p.m. A 26-year-old man was hospitalized after scrambling in the area without any equipment. He fell about 30 feet, Stalnacker said, although it was not a straight fall. He slid and tumbled, hitting several rocks before landing near the Mount Sanitas trailhead. About 15 rescuers responded to the scene after the man's friend called 911. The man was taken to Boulder Community Hospital where he is in stable condition.
Emergency services supervisor Dave Booton said the sheriff's office is reminding outdoor enthusiasts to be safe. He said climbers should wear helmets, bring appropriate equipment and technical gear. Climbers should also tie a knot in the end of the rope if they are repelling or belaying, Booton said.
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10ftdrp
May 30, 2005, 3:35 AM
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wow that really sucks for the first guy... i'm interested to find out what caused him to deck...
as for the second guy... i'm going to be nice and just not say anything...
~Zero
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majid_sabet
May 30, 2005, 4:12 PM
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Sheriff's investigators said that the man was climbing with proper equipment and a training partner. "Everything looked good.
It’s too early to find out what happen, I am sure some thing went wrong, things do not just fall from the sky. :idea:
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grayhghost
May 31, 2005, 10:18 PM
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spontaneous rockfall does
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sticky_fingers
May 31, 2005, 10:32 PM
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In reply to: It’s too early to find out what happen, I am sure some thing went wrong, things do not just fall from the sky. :idea:
Reading 1 more paragraph gives you this nugget
In reply to: Stalnacker said it is possible that pieces of "protection" came loose. |
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wa_hoo
Jun 1, 2005, 1:44 AM
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That was my guess too - maybe he was new to trad, or maybe just had a poorly placed piece or two. If he fell 25-40 feet it wouldn't take that much, esp if he fell while placing a piece.
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wa_hoo
Jun 1, 2005, 1:45 AM
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That was my guess too - maybe he was new to trad, or maybe just had a poorly placed piece or two. If he fell 25-40 feet it wouldn't take that much, esp if he fell while placing a piece.
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tradmanclimbs
Jun 1, 2005, 1:54 AM
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You don't need to be new to trad to have gear fail. You can be hard as nails and get on a climb with marginal gear which would put even the best climbers in a possition to zipper gear. Why do so many users on this site imeadatly assume that an accident victim was a noob???
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kman
Jun 1, 2005, 2:03 AM
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In reply to: You don't need to be new to trad to have gear fail. You can be hard as nails and get on a climb with marginal gear which would put even the best climbers in a possition to zipper gear. Why do so many users on this site imeadatly assume that an accident victim was a noob???
cause it makes them feel superior.
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sick_climba
Jun 1, 2005, 2:18 AM
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Best wishes out to this guys family. I was watching the news and a couple of 19-year-olds were setting up a top rope in boulder canyon and I guess one was just jerking around on top and fell over the edge. Took a good 40 ft fall unprotected on to rock! He lived and had no major injuries though.
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mbg
Jun 2, 2005, 4:33 PM
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Registered: Apr 17, 2003
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bump
Has anyone heard more specifics on this?
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