Table II
Accidents
Geographical Districts
1947-1956
1957
Atlantic States—North
22
3
South
2
2
Central
2
0
Colorado
45
7
Utah and New Mexico
5
3
Wyoming
29
6
Montana and Idaho
8
0
Arizona and Nevada
5
0
California
41
4
Oregon
22
1
Washington
39
19
Alaska
4
0
Practice Cliffs—all areas
14
4
Terrain
Rock
156
28
Snow
74
17
River
1
0
Unknown
6
0
Ascent or Descent
(River crossing not included here)
Ascent
87
22
Descent
112
22
Unknown
35
1
Immediate Cause
Fall or Slip on Rock
79
13
Loose Rock (handhold pulled out)
16
3
Failure of Piton
2
0
Falling Rock
22
5
Failure of Rappel
18
3
Slip on Snow or Ice
36
9
1947-1956
1957
Fall into Crevasse
8
2
Loss of Control in Voluntary Glissade
15
3
Avalanche
8
1
Lightning
3
1
Failure to Follow Route
2
0
Stuck Rope
1
1
Skiing
1
0
Crampon pierced clothing and/or ripped by
3
0
Fall in River
1
0
Unsafe Campsite
1
0
Exposure and/or Exhaustion
2
3
Heat Prostration
1
0
Unknown
13
1
Contributory Causes
Climbing Unroped
67
9
Climbing Alone
20
6
Attempt to exceed Abilities (inexperienced)
31
6
Darkness
7
1
Inadequate Equipment
4
4
Old Rope
7
1
Size of Party
One
21
6
Two
59
9
Three
60
9
Four
22
10
Five
10
4
Six or More
37
7
Unknown
38
0
Ages of Individuals
Under 15
4
1
15-20 years
85
14
“Young or College Age”
40
1
21-25
55
14
26-30
26
8
31-35
21
6
Over 35
15
5
Unknown
21
2
Affiliated with Climbing Group
Unaffiliated
55
13
Not Stated
90
8
Member of Mountaineering Club
94
24
Estimate of Experience
None or Little
100
18
Moderate
38
20
Experienced
40
4
Unknown
60
3
Accidents
MONTH of Year
1947-1956
1957
January
4
1
February
5
5
March
2
1
April
13
2
May
13
3
Jun
14
6
July
35
8
August
43
7
September
24
7
October
11
1
November
4
3
December
3
1