FALL, INEXPERIENCE—Colorado, Mt. Royal. Mark Baines (16) was attempting a climb of Mt. Royal with a friend when he fell to his death. (Source: Paul Johnson, Summit County Rescue Group.)

Analysis: In this geographic area, as well as Mt. Evans, the writer has noticed a number of accidents involving young people attempting climbing or “scrambling” without the aid of equipment and without any technical climbing experience. This one is typical of that category and while not a climbing accident in the sense that the individuals involved were not climbers, it is reported in the hope that readers who have no climbing experience will note that situations which appear to be “simply” scrambling can quickly turn into disasters. (Source: J. Williamson.)