Another Rappelling Accident at Garden of the Gods

This last Saturday there was another rappelling accident at the Garden of the Gods. A climber fell about 50 feet after improperly loading his rappel device.

You can read more about it at my About.com website...http://climbing.about.com/b/2009/02/08/another-rappelling-accident-at-garden-of-the-gods.htm

I'll post more when I get more details this week. I send my hopes that he has a complete recovery since he had some serious injuries.

For what it's worth... we had three different folks come into Chalet today apparently in response to their feelings about this accident (all three of them mentioned it). Two young guys looking for "how to" books, specifically with regards to rapelling, and another who was standing at the base when the kid fell and decided after seeing this that helmets are not such a bad investment after all (not that it may have helped the fella that fell). I reckon with regards to gravity any improvement is a big improvement.

And of course... good thoughts to the climber.

Stewart, Thanks for any information that you can post. I was just out their saturday, late afternoon, probably right after everthing was cleaned up. A bad fall for sure. My best to the climber, I hope everything turns out alright.

That is really sad. My best wishes to all involved.

Anyway, I personally think many rap accidents happen because its at the end of the day and you are tired.

I had a partner who used to always tell me the climbs not over until you're back in bed, which I think is great advice. We've seen many people have accidents on the descents, trails, and roads after the "dangerous stuff" was over.

Saturday,I and three others were enjoying a nice morning on Montezumas tower.I lead the first pitch and then started to belay my friends. I looked over to the Red and white spires and seen the guy jump out and just fall quick. I herd him hit from a distance, it was the most horrifing noise ever. I yelled to my friends below to run over and help, they came back with bad news. After sitting on the tower watching the ambulance, and knowing i have to rap off montezumas wasn't a good feeling. But i guess he was breathing, i would like to find out if he is alright if anyone knows?

That's terrible. I have so much sympathy for all of these people including the witnesses. It is good to see that people in the climbing community treat accidents with an awarness as a chance to learn. Best wishes for everyone involved.

No fun learning lessons like this. I know as we get more experienced sometimes we take things for granted, perhaps because they become 2nd nature. WHat these last couple of accidents have taught me is no matter how long you have been climbing there is one maxim we must never ever forget... Double Check everything.

prayers to the climber and their family. Thanks Stewart for always keeping us informed, even if it's the hard stuff!

Climb Safe.

Thanks to all who helped out. The guy who fell is one of our cadets up here at the Air Force Academy. Latest I heard was that he was in critical but stable condition.