Geographical Districts, Accidents, Table II
Geographical Districts
Accidents
1947–1958
1959
Atlantic States—North
29
7
South
4
0
Central
2
0
Colorado
53
6
Utah & New Mexico
8
2
Wyoming
40
7
South Dakota
0
1
Montana & Idaho
8
1
Arizona & Nevada
5
1
California
52
3
Oregon
28
2
Washington
66
7
Alaska
5
0
Practice Cliffs—All areas
19
1
Terrain
Rock
207
28
Snow
99
9
River
1
0
Unknown
6
0
Ascent or Descent (River crossing not included)
Ascent
126
25
Descent
147
12
Unknown
37
0
Immediate Cause
Fall or Slip on Rock
103
17
Loose Rock (Handhold Pulled Out)
20
3
Failure of Piton
2
4
Falling Rock
32
6
Failure of Rappel
23
1
Slip on Snow or Ice
47
5
Fall into Crevasse
10
0
Loss of Control in Voluntary Glissade
20
1
Avalanche
9
1
Lightning
5
0
Failure to Follow Route
4
1
Stuck Rope
2
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
7
2
Heat Prostration
1
0
Illness, Medical
2
0
Unknown
16
0
Accidents
1947-58
1959
Contributory Causes
Climbing Unroped
81
8
Climbing Alone
27
2
Attempt to Exceed Abilities (Inexperienced)
40
7
Darkness
8
0
Inadequate Equipment
10
1
Old Rope
8
0
Size of Party
One
28
1
Two
75
17
Three
76
3
Four
37
5
Five
17
4
Six or more
52
7
Unknown
38
0
Age of Individuals
Under 15
8
2
15-20 years
113
14
“Young or College Age”
41
1
21-25
75
13
26-30
38
1
31-35
28
2
Over 35
24
7
Unknown
24
1
Unaffiliated with Climbing Group
Unaffiliated
81
10
Not Stated
102
3
Member of Mountaineering Club
133
24
Estimate of Experience
None or Little
131
13
Moderate
72
14
Experienced
48
12
Unknown
63
0
Month of Year
January
6
1
February
11
1
March
6
3
April
16
1
May
20
6
June
23
5
July
49
3
August
57
11
September
34
2
October
14
1
November
8
2
December
4
1