Major Rockfall

Major rock fall on The WindTower in Eldorado state park today. I was climbing the 1st pitch of the N.W corner of The Bastille when I heard ROOOOOCK!! It must have been 6 to 8 football size rocks hitting the ground around start of Tagger. My partner and I had left that spot about 30 min prior to that really bad rockfall.it seemed to me that a party of two were on the 3rd pitch of The Wind Ridge. This happened today 9/8/2014, luckily no one got hurt.

I was climbing on Peanut yesterday, heard a pretty massive rock fall, sounded like it was coming from the Redgarden area. Lots of people yelling "rock," sounded like it bounced 4-5 times. Lots of yelling afterwards but no rescue vehicles or any other signs of injuries. Anyone know what happened there?

Glad no one was hurt on the Wind Tower today. Rockfall always sketches me out at Eldo

Glad we got out if there when we did

eldo is sounding scary!i have too many stories about rockfall there. i am reluctant to climb there near others! helmet laws? just kidding.

mike c wrote:eldo is sounding scary!i have too many stories about rockfall there. i am reluctant to climb there near others! helmet laws? just kidding.

It's totally true. I don't get there that often for that very reason (granite vs. choss). Very cool and wild place, but every ledge is an explosion of rock debris. I usually put my helmet on halfway to the climb, and it always amazes me to see people hanging out without one on.

This has been a WET summer. Not surprised.

Think next season will be worse? Seems after the winter all that trapped moisture could have those cliffs heaving. Bucket up!

I also wear a helmet whenever getting close to the walls, however, I think we are misleading ourselves if we think they are going to do much for a lot of those chunks of rock. I've seen bowling ball size rocks come off of ledges several hundred feet up- a helmet will do nothing for that. I am certainly not saying helmets are worthless, just they are not a cure-all.

Just because you're wearing a helmet doesn't mean you shouldn't be cognizant of your surroundings- tuck under overhangs if you can. If you are waiting for a route consider stashing your stuff at the climb to save your spot and staying well back from the cliff.

Just my thoughts.

Good points from Paul. The endless soaking rain all through the night and still going on now won't be helping, although I suppose it might at least wash some of the recent rockfall off ledges and down to the ground.

Good points Paul B and mike c! Water is probably spilling much debris down the wall as Jon says so make sure to watch for junk on your holds!