Accident at Banana Belt, Owens River Gorge

This is a FB post from the Inyo County Sheriff's Office (we have no information as to the condition of the climber):

Repost from the Bishop Climbing Rangers:Earlier this week a climber was lowered off the end of their rope at the Banana Belt in the Central Gorge. After leading a 40m pitch, the climber was being lowered when they unexpectedly fell over 20 feet to the ground and briefly lost consciousness. The climber was not wearing a helmet and there was no knot at the end of their 70m rope. Luckily, other climbers in the area were available and able to conduct an efficient rescue.  

Last year, a similar accident happened at the Banana Belt. In both cases, the climber was using a rope that was too short to lower off the pitch they were on and there was no knot at the end of the rope.

The Owen's River Gorge is the home to the highest quantity of sport climbing in the state of California. Unfortunately, we still see accidents here, many of which are preventable.  

Takeaways: 
-Know the length of the routes you are on. Many routes in the ORG are over 35m in length.  
-Knot the end of your rope every time, even on shorter pitches. Good habits prevent injury and save lives.  
-Wear a Helmet whether on lead or on the ground. The Gorge features a lot of loose rock, which is a hazard for belayers.  

Thanks for posting this.  I've never climbed in the ORG but hope to do so next year. How do most people descend from these climbs?  Are there intermediate rappel (or belay) anchors they can use to descend with two single-rope raps?  Or Do these climbs have an optional walk-off?  Or do they simply require that the climber or the follower bring up a second rope to do a two-rope rap? 

Many routes are 40m tall, and 80m ropes are the modern standard at ORG.

These long routes at Banana CAN be done safely with a 70 meter rope, but be prepared to have the climber end up on a big ledge about 20 feet up.  It's a pretty easy scramble down from there.  Tie knots, pay attention, have fun. And , yeah, an 80 meter cord is nice.

John F Kimwrote:

Thanks for posting this.  I've never climbed in the ORG but hope to do so next year. How do most people descend from these climbs?  Are there intermediate rappel (or belay) anchors they can use to descend with two single-rope raps?  Or Do these climbs have an optional walk-off?  Or do they simply require that the climber or the follower bring up a second rope to do a two-rope rap? 

All climbs that I'm aware of (haven't climbed them all, of course) are lower-offs or raps from the belay anchors. No walk-offs that I'm aware of. Most anchors have stout mussey's or steel 'biners for lowering/rapping. Many areas only require a 70m rope, but as with Banana Belt, some require longer. Please do your homework, or maybe invest in an 80. Lowering off can be so much quicker and easier. Not all anchors areas provide a comfortable belay to set up a rappel.