Utah—Petes Rock, Salt Lake County: In the early part of September, 1953, John R. Bendall (25) was rappelling 90 feet on the Wasatch Mountain Club practice rock. The rope used was a half-inch army nylon (not war surplus) 5 to 6 years old which seemed to be in good condition. The rope was passed unpadded around a quartzite rock. Bendall, using a figure 8 sling with Karabiner made a long jump of about 20 feet at the start of his rappel as was his custom; the rope broke at the rappel point and he fell 70 feet, struck two protuberances of the cliff, and landed on a steeply sloping dirt slope. He suffered numerous abrasions and lacerations, a dislocated elbow and a fracture of a bone in his hand.

Source: Harold Goodeo, Director, Mountain Climbing Wasatch Mountaineering Club, and Dr. W. R. Halliday.

Analysis: The site of the rappel was examined and no sharp rock was noted that could have cut the rope. It, therefore, seems likely that there was an intrinsic point of weakness in the rope which could not withstand the sudden strain of Bendall’s initial long jump out to clear the rock.