The following is from Mt Project about an accident at Foothill Crag (Ventura CA). Obviously some inexperienced climbers who would have benefitted from some good advice. Best wishes for a decent recovery.


«just heard from someone who spoke with the belayer that was involved in this accident. Here are the apparent details:

Two local teens were planning to top-rope the 90-foot tall route "Roothless Poodles" (5.10a).

The individual who would later become the victim built an anchor that consisted of one continuous loop of 1-inch webbing that was clipped with carabiners to 3 different bolts. The rope was then passed through the end of the loop of webbing. No carabiners were used to attach the rope to the loop. The second climber complained that the anchor "did not seem right." The first climber reported that he had "done it this way before."

The individual who had built the anchor then successfully climbed the route with the rope running directly through the webbing. He sat back and began to be lowered off of the anchor. Approximately half way down the route, the rope sawed completely through the webbing anchor.

The climber dropped approximately 45 feet, remaining upright and clawing at the rock as he descended. The climber suffered life-threatening injuries including 3 broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a broken pelvis.

The injured climber was air lifted to a hospital. He is expected to make a full recovery.»