Recent accident at Hellgate

Always a tenous place to climb with potential rockfall-Bad rockfall accident few days ago???

 A climber was hiking up (specific area unknown) and getting ready to climb with a helmet on and a basketball sized rock fell on her. When medics arrived her helmet was shattered and she had been unconscious for quite a while. From what I hear the victim is in very bad shape... This is hard to write without knowing the party and specific details but hopefully gives caution to those climbing in the area. 

Damn, that is scary!

https://ksltv.com/501895/hiker-seriously-injured-by-falling-rock-in-little-cottonwood-canyon/

A hiker that wears a helmet??   Haven't seen that ever.

Very sad to hear this story.  I and friends I've been with have had several close calls there and as much as I love climbing there its probably not smart to climb there again.

Russ Keanewrote:

A hiker that wears a helmet??   Haven't seen that ever.

That's KSL once again confusing hikers and climbers. 

Arguably you should wear a helmet when hiking around the base of Hellgate and in American Fork.

Stan Pitcherwrote:

Very sad to hear this story.  I and friends I've been with have had several close calls there and as much as I love climbing there its probably not smart to climb there again.

I've seen more rockfall at the hellgate than any crag besides maybe maple canyon in the beginning of development. super cool climbing but soft like chalk. the history of major rockfall accidents there is growing.

I am curious the route / crag where this happened. Anyone have any details?

I have no idea Kyle, but from the description sounds like it might have been the shooting gallery between tower 2 & 3.  I was up there about a month ago and broke a foot and hand hold on Social Realism that luckily caused no serious injuries.  I had climbed that route many times prior and never had any issues with the rock.  I think all the recent rains are a contributor and at the least people should give Hellgate several days to dry out after rain like they do for sandstone.

Stan Pitcherwrote:

I think all the recent rains are a contributor and at the least people should give Hellgate several days to dry out after rain like they do for sandstone.

I've also had mountain goats kick off rocks on to us at both Hellgate and in AF.

Very sad, I have a scar on my shoulder from getting belted by a rock up at Hellgate. There were no climbers above me when the rock came down.

Stan Pitcherwrote:

I was up there about a month ago and broke a foot and hand hold on Social Realism that luckily caused no serious injuries.  I had climbed that route many times prior and never had any issues with the rock.

Got a scar on the back of my knee from that route when I broke a hold on it...in 1991.

Helmet on for the approach and head's up if/when I go up there.  

Kyle Harmerwrote:

I am curious the route / crag where this happened. Anyone have any details?

She was on the approach between tower 2 and 3, not climbing yet. She was wearing a helmet...

This is extremely sad.  I had my own close call up there with Jim H. Fuck Hellgate.

My recommendation to anyone wanting to get out on a hot day would be to drive a little further or just go to the gym.

Notch seems safer to me than Hellgate.

Very sad indeed. 

I've had two very close calls on Hellgate Highway, which might be the most dangerous route I've been on due to the intense barrages of rockfall both times I've climbed it.  Always in season, never after rain, etc.  Just super, super dangerous in my experience...and difficult/impossible to get out of the falling baseballs-basketballs until on the ground.

Contributions for support, and a few more details on the injured climber's condition: https://www.gofundme.com/f/jessie-liddiards-medical-bills   

I don't know her, but have climbed often at Hellgate, and this hits close to the heart.  

Super sad news. Best wishes for a speedy recovery Jessie!

The amount of choss I've watched fall at Hellgate over the years is staggering. I have more and more partners who just don't want to climb there because of that. 

Jessie has been re-learning how to speak, swallow, and walk, and the good news from yesterday is that she has been released to recover from home with daily rehab.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/jessie-liddiards-medical-bills

That's great news!  Thanks Annie. 

Best of luck to Jessie!

https://gofund.me/55d7d8ef