FALLING WHILE DESCENDING, UNROPED—Washington, The Tooth. David Putnam (19) fell while descending “The Tooth.” He was with Steven White (19) and Gary High (18) when he fell 100 feet down a steep snow and rock slope, coming to rest against a tree. He was seriously injured, and was air evacuated by a MAST helicopter. (Source: Rodney McDowell, King County Police.)

Analysis: Risk increases when (1) climbing unroped, especially while (2) descending. (Source: J. Williamson.)