INADEQUATE EQUIPMENT, BAD WEATHER—California, Yose- mite Valley. Randall Iwasiuk (21) and Chris Robbins (22) were climbing the South Face Column on February 19. They ended the day on the third pitch. By the end of the day on February 20, they made a bivouac at the “terrace.” It began raining at midnight, so they started climbing, making it to within three pitches of the top of the prow. They felt they could not proceed from there, and around 9:30 a.m. February 21, they began yelling for help. A rescue team of seven went to the top, via North Dome Gully, in 35 mph winds and rain. A lowering system was set up, and one rescuer went down to the victims, who were then assisted to the top. They climbed and jummared, and once on top, were given cagoules. All of them proceeded the descent. Victims suffered no more than slight hypothermia. (Source: Tim Setnicka, Yosemite National Park.)

Analysis: More clothing would have helped. A second party on the same route finished the climb during the same storm. (Source: Tim Setnicka, Yosemite National Park.)