Fatal accident at Tahquitz today

Sounds like a thunderstorm rolled in hard and fast, but no specific information has come to light so far. 

horrible news.  i was just looking out my office window a bit ago and it looked like some tall clouds out that way.  

“Sounds like a thunderstorm rolled in hard and fast…”

Buildup started early this morning…by 9 am it looked like tstorms could happen. Definitely wasn’t a surprise.

A dual fatality is very unusual- the details will be interesting. Speculation isn’t helpful for anyone, though. Condolences to all involved.

The "details" are only important to educate people and would be obvious to anyone who saw the state of their gear, belay device on?, rope in the belay device? etc.

Often first responders don't think to take note of the circumstances for obvious reasons and thus it all may well remain a mystery.

RIP

For any new climbers out there reading this please check the local weather report before you start your day. The mountain weather will often differ greatly from the city you live in.  Also change your plans if you see clouds building. Understand that the top of Tahquitz is full of loose rocks that will fall in a heavy downpour.  Know that anyone can die on an easy route in bad conditions.  Learn to be patient and save that route you’ve been wanting to do until the time is right. 

Matt Beebewrote:

For any new climbers out there reading this please check the local weather report before you start your day. The mountain weather will often differ greatly from the city you live in.  Also change your plans if you see clouds building. Understand that the top of Tahquitz is full of loose rocks that will fall in a heavy downpour.  Know that anyone can die on an easy route in bad conditions.  Learn to be patient and save that route you’ve been wanting to do until the time is right. 

The weather can also differ greatly on the rock as opposed down in Idyllwild. It’s an alpine environment and should be treated as such.

Tradibanwrote:

Often first responders don't think to take note of the circumstances for obvious reasons and thus it all may well remain a mystery.

Agree, 100%.

But speculation based on zero actual known facts (i.e. 'likely simul-rap incident'...post deleted) does nothing to advance anyones understanding of an incident.

Reports from some involved in the recovery put the party somewhere at the base of Dave's Deviation, possibly have fallen from somewhere left of the Trough. Apparently there was a party that either saw or heard the fall.

This is so terribly sad.

I’m the SoCal regional editor for Accidents in North American Climbing. Anyone with knowledge to share, please email me at SoCal_editor@americanalpineclub.org. As I’m sure most of you know, at ANAC our mission is to document and analyze accidents in an effort to improve the safety of climbing.

Thanks, Christy 

apogeewrote:

Agree, 100%.

But speculation based on zero actual known facts (i.e. 'likely simul-rap incident'...post deleted) does nothing to advance anyones understanding of an incident.

Reports from some involved in the recovery put the party somewhere at the base of Dave's Deviation, possibly have fallen from somewhere left of the Trough. Apparently there was a party that either saw or heard the fall.

Yes, sounds like a simul rap accident or leader fell with no pro between them, like I said it would be obvious with the details but there probably won’t be any.

To end up on that ledge the most left of Trough they could have been would be Piton Pooper.

Tradibanwrote:

Yes, sounds like a simul rap accident or leader fell with no pro between them, like I said it would be obvious with the details but there probably won’t be any.

To end up on that ledge the most left of Trough they could have been would be Piton Pooper.

Or possibly Upper Royals Arch? 

Tradibanwrote:

Yes, sounds like a simul rap accident or leader fell with no pro between them, like I said it would be obvious with the details but there probably won’t be any.

To end up on that ledge the most left of Trough they could have been would be Piton Pooper.

George Haydukewrote:

Or possibly Upper Royals Arch? 

No way a person would end up on Dave’s ledge from URA. It doesn’t matter from where it happened, it matters how it happened so that others can learn from it. Although The location could shed light on how it happened.

Regarding speculation, speculation is GOOD. It is the free exchange of ideas that allows readers to learn about the many ways you can die in the mountains.

As always the news report is brief and has no answers for us:

patch.com/california/temecula/search-hikers-stranded-mountain-trail-near-idyllwild-underway

19 years ago - October 2003 - Dave Kellogg and Kelly Tufo RIP - this was the first story I ever heard about Tahquitz. I started climbing at Tahquitz in 2005 and think of them every time I am there, even though I never new them.  

publications..americanalpineclub.org/articles/13200406000/Fall-on-Rock-Inadequate-ProtectionBelay-California-Tahquitz-Rock-The-Step 

Sending positive vibes to our community.

-- Bernadette

apogeewrote:

Agree, 100%.

But speculation based on zero actual known facts (i.e. 'likely simul-rap incident'...post deleted) does nothing to advance anyones understanding of an incident.

Reports from some involved in the recovery put the party somewhere at the base of Dave's Deviation, possibly have fallen from somewhere left of the Trough. Apparently there was a party that either saw or heard the fall.

To the party that saw or heard them fall, I wish you the best as you process and heal.

I was in the party that heard the team fall at Tahquitz in 2003, and responded to the dual fatality then. That day has stayed with me for almost 20 years. Rest well, Dave and Kelly.

To the party who witnessed this accident, please reach out if you want to talk. 

I agree that this should be hashed out! Speculation often starts a great conversation. Everyone just needs to stay respectful, which seems to be happening.

I have no idea what happened, but it happened. And it is sad. I've run into a handful of climbers over the years who have been killed on Tahquitz. Always sad. This is a deadly hobby that we all have decided to engage in. To everyone...  Be Careful! Check your partner! Tell your family and friends that you love them, often!

"Regarding speculation, speculation is GOOD. It is the free exchange of ideas that allows readers to learn about the many ways you can die in the mountains."

To a technical forensics team with access to all available information a free exchange of ideas can help move towards a possible answer. But spraying out a bunch of speculation on a climbing forum at a time when little actual facts are known tends to result in widespread misconception, and no-one really benefits from that. Doing so does, however, provide a great opportunity to project oneself in social media.

Edit:

Word from two persons involved in recovery is that there is a lot that isn't clear at this time, however apparently the rope was knotted at both ends, and no anchor gear between the two partners. One person was attached to the rope via an ATC on a PAS tether, the other person had some kind of rap device with a prussik backup on their harness, but was not attached to the rope. A nearby witness said they saw the party fall with a very large (refrigerator sized) block. A coroners report is expected in a few days that may shed more light.

Yesterday, there were two rather severe thunderstorms in Idyllwild. One started around 11:45 AM. Strong downpour of about 25 minutes. 

The second one at 3 PM, incredible rain and hail storm, maybe the strongest rain/hail in many years here in Banana Belt of IDY. That one lasted about an hour.

Condolences to all families and friends involved.

apogeewrote:

Edit:

Word from two persons involved in recovery is that there is a lot that isn't clear at this time, however apparently the rope was knotted at both ends, and no anchor gear between the two partners. One person was attached to the rope via an ATC on a PAS tether, the other person had some kind of rap device with a prussik backup on their harness, but was not attached to the rope. A nearby witness said they saw the party fall with a very large (refrigerator sized) block. A coroners report is expected in a few days that may shed more light.

That's the story i got too. And that's prolly all we'll know. However, I'd like to know what the weather was doing at the exact time of this horrible accident and leading up to it. That would help a lot in trying to figure out what the climbers were going through and types of choices made on the fly, if that was the case.

x15x15wrote:

That's the story i got too. And that's prolly all we'll know. However, I'd like to know what the weather was doing at the exact time of this horrible accident and leading up to it. That would help a lot in trying to figure out what the climbers were going through and types of choices made on the fly, if that was the case.

My group and I were climbing there yesterday too and at the time of the accident it was heavy rain that turned into about ten minutes of hail. All the routes were flooded with water almost immediately.

^ Thank you.

Anyone looking to head out there take care, big storm events can cause some rock fall and other things. If indeed there was a rockfall event near the trough, it would be prudent to avoid that area as well. Condolences to everyone involved, horrible tragedy. Tahquitz is beautiful and imposing and draws us adventurers to it like a moth to a flame.