Geographical Districts

Accidents







1947-1955

1956



Atlantic States—North

15

6



South 

2

0



Central

2

0



Colorado 

36

7



Utah & New Mexico

4

1



Wyoming

22

7



Montana & Idaho

7

1



Arizona & Nevada

5

0



California 

31

10



Oregon 

21

1



Washington

32

7



Alaska 

4

0



Practice Cliffs—all areas

10

343



Terrain



Rock

125

26



Snow

59

14



River

1

0



Unknown 

6

0



Ascent or Descent (River crossing not included here)



Ascent 

70

14



Descent 

86

23



Unknown 

32

3



Immediate Cause



Fall or Slip on Rock

59

17



Loose Rock (handhold pulled out)

16

0



Failure of Piton

1

1



Falling Rock

19

2



Failure of Rappel

15

2



Slip on Snow or Ice

32

4



Fall into Crevasse

7

1



Contributory Causes

Accidents 1947-1955 1956



Loss of Control in Voluntary Glissade

9

6



Avalanche

6

2



Lightning

2

1



Failure to Follow Route 

2

0



Stuck Rope 

1

0



Skiing 

1

0



Crampon pierced clothing and/or ripped by 

1

2



Fall in River

1

0



Unsafe Campsite

1

0



Exposure

1

0



Heat Prostration

0

1



Unknown 

12

1



Climbing Unroped 

51

16



Climbing Alone

17

2



Attempt to Exceed Abilities (inexperienced) 

20

9



Darkness 

7

0



Inadequate Equipment

2

2



Old Rope

5

1



Size of Party



One

18

2



Two 

46

9



Three 

51

8



Four

17

5



Five 

6

4



Six or more

29

8



Unknown 

33

4



Ages of Individuals



Under 15 

3

1



15-20 years 

57

27



“Young or College Age”

35

4



21-25 

40

12



26-30 

20

3



31-35

15

6



Over 35 

11

4



Unknown 

16

5



Affiliated with Climbing Group



Unaffiliated 

50

3



Not Stated 

71

19



Member of Mountaineering Club 

70

18



Estimate of Experience



None or Little

81

11



Moderate

32

6



Experienced 

32

8



Unknown 

45

15



Month of Year

Accidents

1952-1955

1956



January 

4

0



February 

2

3



March 

0

2



April 

13

0



May 

8

4



June

6

7



July 

28

7



August

34

9



September

18

4



October 

9

1



November

2

1



December 

1

2