Accidents Occurring in 1958 not Previously Reported, California, Mt. Darwin

Publication Year: 1960.

California, Mt. Darwin—On August 13, Mrs. Hunt (42), her husband, and son were descending Mt. Darwin in a storm consisting of thunder, hail, snow and rain. They had traversed the ridge and were descending a snow chute above the Darwin glacier to the north of the Darwin Lakes. They alternated using the snow and rocks. At one point, there was a narrow step section of loose rock and dirt between the icy snow and fourth class rock. Her son had preceded her and was around a corner for protection from possible rock fall. Mrs. Hunt followed. As she stepped on the loose rock it “avalanched” and she with it. As she fell, she turned into the prone position and stopped herself. In doing so, however, she twisted her ankle badly. It was presumed this was only a sprain and the party continued down using a belay at one pitch. They reached the camp wet and cold. An uncomfortable night was spent by Mrs. Hunt. The next morning in the company of her son, she hobbled and crawled up and over Lamarch Col and down to the lake where she was met by an advanced rescue party alerted by her husband. She was carried by litter to the Sierra Club Base Camp and then rode out most uncomfortably on a horse. She had suffered a fractured fibula and has since recovered and returned to climbing.

Source: Mrs. T. C. Hunt.

Analysis: Apparently after her fall, the rocky area was swept clean and her husband noted water flowing over the residue. The water, therefore, may have loosened the rocks and acted as a lubricant. Thus when descending in rain, climbers should be extremely careful, especially close to ice and snow areas covered by rocks.