A man rappelling in Big Cottonwood Canyon survived a fall of more than 50 feet Monday afternoon.

The 22-year-old was rappelling with friends near Storm Mountain around 4 p.m., said Salt Lake County Sheriff's Lt. Paul Jaroscak.

"He was using a two-rope system but didn't attach the second rope," Jaroscak said. "He got to the end of the first rope and went into a free-fall."

The man, who suffered a broken leg, was flown to University Hospital in serious condition, police said.