Falling Rock, California, Yosemite Valley

Publication Year: 1980.

FALLING ROCK California, Yosemite Valley

At 2 p.m. on June 12, Larry Fennern (29) was climbing The Caverns route (5.7) when he was struck by a falling rock. Fennern was on the third pitch when the accident occurred. A party of four other climbers got to Fennern. By using their combined equipment, they lowered Fennern to the ground, and he was taken to the clinic. Fennern had a shattered scapula. (Source: Hal Grovert, SAR Officer, Yosemite National Park)

Analysis

This accident occurred in a very popular climbing area. The many climbers walk across the ledge system above the climbs on their descents. Almost no one wears a hard hat while climbing in Yosemite; in this case, the person took a hit on the shoulder, although he might have been hit on the head. More general wearing of hard hats could prevent more serious accidents. (Source: Hal Grovert, SAR Officer, Yosemite National Park)