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tuwheeler
Nov 18, 2002, 7:43 PM
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While I was scouting routes on Saturday afternoon at the first pullout of Red Rocks, my wife witnessed a climber fall to the deck on the wall I was approaching. Apparently, the route wasn't well protected and the pro that was placed didn't hold the fall. The climber was air evacuated within 40 minutes.
Does anyone have any further news on their condition? This is something my wife wishes she had never seen.
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climbsomething
Nov 18, 2002, 8:03 PM
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No, unfortunately I was in the park this weekend myself, when at about 4:30 p.m. Saturday the rangers told us the loop road was closed due to an emergency. The next day (yesterday) we asked the ranger at the toll booth, and he said it was a guide that fell. That's all I have heard. Just some speculation still...
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vegastradguy
Nov 18, 2002, 9:27 PM
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Here's the news story.
(Las Vegas-AP) -- A British rock climber is dead today after falling 90 feet while climbing at Red Rock Canyon west of Las Vegas. Another climber is recovering from two broken ankles after a 40-foot fall Saturday -- also at the national conservation area.
Authorities say 23-year-old Christian Badcock of Northumberland, England, fell yesterday afternoon while climbing with friends in the Calico Basin part of the canyon. He was flown by rescue helicopter to University Medical Center in Las Vegas -- but died a little after five o'clock.
A Bureau of Land Management spokesman says Badcock was an accomplished climber who had been traveling the western U-S with friends. They had spent two weeks climbing in Yosemite National Park before heading to southern Nevada.
Details about the climber hurt on Saturday weren't immediately available.
Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved
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scjandy
Nov 19, 2002, 1:42 AM
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Thanx Shaky Legs. Although it was a bit of a shock, I am not unaccustomed to witnessing trauma. My husbands intent was to gather follow-up information to ease my mind. During the time of the accident, I felt frustrated as I am trained in outdoor emergency care (EMT-b) and could not reach the injured climbers location. In reality, I am hoping that the climber is fairing well.
[ This Message was edited by: scjandy on 2002-11-18 17:44 ]
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canclimber
Nov 19, 2002, 1:59 AM
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Really sad to hear of the accidents that happened. I am with you Shakylegs, I think this Enigma character is not only without class but she might do well to keep her mouth shut. Ignore her nastiness and feel Ok in the knowledge that being sympathetic is a useful emotion that is non-existent with certain people.
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kindredlion
Nov 19, 2002, 2:16 AM
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I am not getting into the middle of this....
Saying sorry in a snotty, sarcastic, and accusative form, does not actually mean sorry at all.
It means THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, SLAM!
Tact, Baby, Tact.
(For the onomatopoetically challenged THUMP=Heavy Footsteps, SLAM=The Door)
Take Air, (er.. bad choice of words)
Take Care,
Adam
editted to make an otherwise dismal post Happy with smilies.
[ This Message was edited by: kindredlion on 2002-11-18 18:22 ]
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scjandy
Nov 19, 2002, 2:26 AM
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Enigma, no offense taken...
Being a beginning climber (5.8 TR is my top so far)- witnessing a fall that was possibly fatal did make me stop and think...
As for other non-climbers who are concerned observers, there are a lot of emotions that one experiences when witnessing any trauma. Spouses are only concerned because climbing does have inherent risks. The spouses who are not climbers may not understand the desire to climb. Climbing is a sport that may be misunderstood by some.
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mtbjsw
Nov 19, 2002, 2:29 AM
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Yeah Enigma, what are the spectator's going to say about you when you fall lead climbing there and all your pro zippers out? FOR SHAME!! Like I said, Red Rocks is a tough place, really hard sport climbs and really long trad climbs with dicey pro on crumbly sandtone with strong possibillity of being benighted. Also gotta wait 48 hours after any rain to climb. Sew it up with BIG gear, use a 60 meter rope and wear a helmet. Better bring a jacket and some extra water too. And a hat. Gets cold there.
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danielb
Nov 19, 2002, 3:06 PM
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More info here suggests fall was a 90 footer...
Danielb
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jb510
Nov 19, 2002, 4:18 PM
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Thank you Danielb, vegastradguy and tuwheeler for posting actual information...
I was out there too, although I only saw the road block and heli flights as we must have left minutes before the accident.
If/when anyone hears any information on the details of the accident could they post it here please? or better start a new thread without all the irrelevant bickering that has consumed these forums...
Thanks,
JB
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scjandy
Nov 19, 2002, 11:40 PM
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Here is another more detailed story about the British Climber who fell (and died) on Sunday- Calico Basin.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2490435.stm
He was at the top of Winter Heat and apparently there was some confusion between the belayer and the climber.
As for the fall that I saw, the climber fell during a belay on Panty Wall. He has two broken ankles and an injured arm...His injuries are not life threatening...I am glad to know he will recover.
[ This Message was edited by: scjandy on 2002-11-19 21:48 ]
[ This Message was edited by: scjandy on 2002-11-19 21:49 ]
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boltdude
Nov 26, 2002, 4:19 AM
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The Panty Wall accident on Saturday was a different accident from the fatality on Sunday.
The guy who fell on Saturday is a friend, and I visited him in the hospital. For the ANAM side of things:
self-described "pilot error." He was above the chain anchor, clipped
in with a daisy, and threaded about 10-15 feet of rope through the
chains while leaning down from above. At this point he realized that
the chain was putting a twist in the rope (not uncommon when threading
from above and you don't get a chance to check the twisting of the
chain from a downward pull). Then he realized that he could unscrew
one of the quicklinks by hand and fix the twisting problem. He did
that, went on rappel, and proceeded to rap off with one end of the
rope only 15' down from the anchor (forgot to continue pulling the
rope through once he'd fixed the twisting problem). Fell 35' or so
onto an angled slab, broke both legs and an elbow and then cut the
other elbow, plus very minor scalp wound. This happened to one of the
safest & most experienced guys out there, who, like many people who
spend a lot of time out on the rock, tend to be ultra-safe with
partners and other people, and as he said, a little less vigilant when
it comes to personal safety.
And on another note for those of you unfortunate enough to be on scene
of an accident: one of the first SAR guys on scene, seeing the
prominent bleeding in the left elbow, bumped the right elbow several
times and had to be told in no uncertain terms by the injured party
himself that he must NOT bump that elbow (turned out that while not
bleeding, it was so severly broken that the elbow now has a partial
artificial joint). Easy to forget to check for severe internal
injuries when you see blood, even if you're fully trained...
Greg
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micronut
Nov 26, 2002, 4:43 AM
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reminds me that the little things we squabble about are un-important and how serious the thing we do is. No matter the grade, every climb is a a CLIMB!!
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billcoe_
Nov 27, 2002, 8:29 PM
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Well thank RC.com for being on top of the news. I was at Calico Basin on Saturday (11-16) and on Frogland area Sunday.
Didn't see a thing.
Your Rc.com correspondant in Oregon. In the dark still.
Still unsure exactly what did happen Sunday? Anybody see it?
Bill
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