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Eldo accident reported in DC

Rita Peterson · · Denver, CO · Joined Dec 2006 · Points: 0

This is so sad. I keep running the possible scenarios through my head. Condolences to his family and friends.

John Long · · Venice · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 45

Cases of ropes simply "breaking" from the impact of a fall are so rare as to be almost meaningless. Barring a sharp edge that might have cut or compromised the rope's strength, the braided strands of a kernmantle rope don't simply come apart no matter how big or traumatic a fall. So that rope will have to be inspected very carefully to determine what really happened. If the rope truly just blew apart, that's the worst new of all, save for the poor guy who was killed. Condolences for sure.

JL

Callie Rennison · · Boulder, Colorado · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 15

A name has been released and is in the Denver Post:

The climber, identified as 39-year-old Joseph M. Miller Jr. of Lafayette, Co...

Very sad news.

Mishel Gougler · · Arlington VA · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 185

It's truly heart breaking to hear about this tragic accident. The climber’s partners, family and friends have my very deepest condolences. Please post if there are any donations of any kind being made in lieu of flowers or what not.

Renee D · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 0

I knew him, but not as a climber. He was a member of my co-housing community. He was an amazingly positive guy who truly helped his neighbors. He was vital, strong, smart and giving. My heart goes out to his wife and kids.

Buff Johnson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 1,145

Ryando, don't let some of those comments get to you; we don't go around looking for insurance coverage and we don't judge anyone. I have no idea why those topics even came up and which doesn't affect them or this situation anyway; other than someone felt the overwhelming need to be a real prick at what really couldn't be a worse time for a family.

I can only tell you how compassionate this situation is viewed; and send along my condolence, as well.

Bruno Hache · · Longmont, CO · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 190

Those things that can happen to every one of us, as solo or lead climbers are always tragic and painful to all.

My deepest condolences to the family and friends.

Craig Quincy · · Louisville, CO · Joined Sep 2001 · Points: 306

How terrible. My condolences to his friends and family.

Thank you to the park staff and rescue volunteers for your dedication.

Mitch Hoffman · · Fonda NY · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 220
Updated Story

The update gives a little more information about the climber, Joseph M. Miller Jr. Sounds like he was a great guy, my condolences to his friends and family.
coop Best · · Glenwood Springs, CO · Joined Jan 2005 · Points: 485

my condolences to the family and friends

Rich Farnham · · Nederland, CO · Joined Aug 2002 · Points: 297

So sad. My thoughts to the family.

Anyone know the belayer? Is someone checking in on him/her? I can't imagine watching something like this happen to my climbing partner. It would wreck me.

To echo what others have said, I'm stunned that the rope cut. That is one of my biggest fears in climbing. This is the first time I've ever heard of a free-climbing cut rope during a fall. I've heard of things on big walls, aiding, jugging, etc. but never a standard lead fall.

Tim Stich · · Colorado Springs, Colorado · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,520

After the investigation is concluded, I hope RMR posts the findings as they have on occasion in the past. Very, very sorry to hear about this accident.

Chris Plesko · · Westminster, CO · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 485

Ugg I agree Rich. Ropes don't break is a huge thing for me. I hope we get a report from RMR in appropriate time and I selfishly hope it points to something that might have prevented this accident.

My condolences to his family and friends and also his belayer. Hopefully he's surrounded by loved ones at this time :(

Hamlet73 · · Boulder, CO · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 230
Ryando Smithman wrote:[...]On another note, after reading the article, and the comments following, I must address the ignorance of some folks. Instead of pissing and moaning about "insurance" and "being stupid" (they referred to soloing, interesting how it was one of several accidents I've heard about not involving soloing), maybe they should take to mind that a man is now dead. I'm pretty sure there's a more important issue at hand here besides the money involved. Sorry for the rant folks, sometimes, though I'm not a violent person, I'd like to throw some people in front of a speeding tractor trailer.[...]
Ryando, these people are trolls, people who get a kick about pissing people off on online forums and should be ignored at all times. They have nothing better to do than trying to piss people off to forget about their squalid lives. Ignore them, Ignore them, Ignore them!!!

This is a tragic accident, condolences to his friend and family!!
Northwest Corner · · Bend · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,505

I just read about Joseph. It sounds like he was a great guy and the kind of climber you like to have at the crag. What a tragic loss. Best wishes and condolences to his family, friends and the CMS.

TobinPetty · · Pinetop, AZ · Joined Oct 2004 · Points: 885

What a tragedy. God bless his family and friends. Also, look forward to more info regarding possible equipment failure.

Erik W · · Santa Cruz, CA · Joined Mar 2007 · Points: 280

Clackmon, they're doing accident investigation - figuring out where the fall started, what pro held or failed, where Joseph was when the rope severed, and if anything in the vicinity could have caused it. I definitely appreciate them taking their time to figure this all out.

Eric Rich · · Denver, CO · Joined Nov 2008 · Points: 155

I was one of Joe Miller's good friends, and main climbing partners. I climbed with him almost every weekend between November of 2008 and January of 2010. Joe was the type of guy anyone would want to have around. His enthusiasm for life was infectious. Although it may seem to many that I only knew him for a short time, any climber will know that shared experiences climbing in the mountains create deep bonds that take decades to form on the ground. Such were the experiences and memories I shared with Joe.

For the record, Joe was one of the most cautious climbers I knew. He knew his gear very well, and was always, always teaching me ways I could be safer.

From what I've heard, Joe was climbing with a guide when 1 piece below him pulled upon him taking a lead fall. At some point during the fall, or after the fall was arrested by his belayer, the rope ran over a sharp piece of rock that severed the rope. My information is not direct, so it may be wrong. We will know more soon.

RIP Joe Miller. You will be sorely missed...

Dave Hurst · · somewhat near Boulder CO · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 5
Rich Farnham wrote:So sad. My thoughts to the family. Anyone know the belayer? Is someone checking in on him/her? I can't imagine watching something like this happen to my climbing partner. It would wreck me. To echo what others have said, I'm stunned that the rope cut. That is one of my biggest fears in climbing. This is the first time I've ever heard of a free-climbing cut rope during a fall. I've heard of things on big walls, aiding, jugging, etc. but never a standard lead fall.
I agree, I hope someone is available to help the belayer through all of this. On a related note, there was a sadly similar fatal accident in Eldo in the mid 1980's; a local fell while leading a route on the Peanuts Wall, cutting completely through his rope.
Brad White · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2006 · Points: 25

Dave, I think you're referring to the accident that killed Kenny Black, and if I remember correctly it was a block that was pulled off (on an attempt at a new route) that cut his rope. (As opposed to the rope running over an edge.)

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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