This last Saturday afternoon, February 7, another climbing accident occurred at the Garden of the Gods, a Colorado Springs city park. This time a 21-year-old man fell over 50 feet and crashed into a sidewalk, sustaining serious life-threatening injuries.
The man had just climbed the popular route Potholes, a moderate 5.8 route up the steep east face of Red Twin Spire in the Gateway area. The 55-foot-high route, protected by four fixed pitons and bolts, works up a series of potholes to an airy exit and a small summit the size of a dining room table. At the edge of the summit is an anchor composed of fixed pitons linked together with chain for top-roping, lowering, and rappelling.
The climber apparently untied, threaded his rope through a large quicklink on the chains, and prepared to rappel with a figure-8 descender. He failed, however, to thread both sides of his rope through the descender and locking carabiner, instead just securing one side in the device. So when he stood up and weighted the rope, it zipped through the quicklink and dropped him down the vertical face to a concrete sidewalk, which surrounds Red Twin Spire and neighboring White Twin Spire. The Colorado Springs Fire Department high-angle rescue team responded from Station 5 and evacuated the climber, whose name and injuries have not yet been released.
I’ll be talking with the rescuers this week and getting more details about exactly what happened, which I will report here. One of the firemen on the rescue told us today that the accident was caused by climber error rather than equipment failure. Just remember, as I’ve said again and again here on About.com, rappelling is dangerous. It’s intensively skill-based as well as equipment-based, so all your systems have to be perfect and your judgement sound to make sure you get down in one piece.
My deepest sympathies go to the climber, his climbing partners, and family for a speedy recovery.
Photograph above: A climber rappels off Red Twin Spire just below the accident site.
Photograph © Stewart M. Green
Comments
I had just reached the top of Montezumas tower. I Set anchor and took looked over to The Red and White Spires. I saw the man jump off as he was rappeling, falling so quick i knew something was wrong. I herd him hit and noticed the people scramble. fire fighters were on the scene in ten or so minutes. Godbless him and his family, i wish them the best.
My husband, son and I were all out taking a walk at Garden of the Gods and were there when he fell. We actually were watching him at the top of the rock, and started walking around the back side and heard him fall. It was the most horrifying sound I have ever heard. My husband is a Wilderness First Responder and he assisted until the paramedics arrived. We have been thinking and praying for him and hope for the best for him. I will be checking in for an update.
Dear Mr. Green, Rappelling is dangerous…??? Ah, NO. Based on your comments, walking is dangerous!! This is CLEARLY operator error. Don’t get me wrong, my prayers to the young man that fell. Again this IS a case operator error. If you walk in front of a car because you didn’t look both ways, is walking dangerous??? NO, it is not. I skydive and of the 5 million jumps per year from all jumpers only 20-30 deaths occur… do the ratio on that, it’s one of the safest sports! So is rappelling is dangerous, NO IT IS NOT.
Please get your FACTS and information correct before you scare a mother or father into not allowing their kids to learn a great outdoor sport. Unless of course, you agree with the fact that kids should stay behind a playstation, Wii, or xbox learning that Killing others is fine and making our kids FAT.
Shame on you Mr. Green… shame on you!
Regards,
cMason