FALL ON ROCK, FAILURE TO FOLLOW ROUTE, PLACED NO PROTECTION, EXCEEDING ABILITIES

New Hampshire, Cathedral Ledge

On September 17, 1980, a nearby resident heard calls for help coming from Cathedral Ledge. The Mountain Rescue Service was notified. When we arrived at the scene, we found Steven Thompson (26) at the base of the ledge suffering from bruises, abrasions, and a possible broken jaw. These were minor injuries considering that he had fallen over 100 feet. (Source: Rick Wilcox, Mountain Rescue Service Leader)

Analysis

This climber got off route and was 50 feet above his belayer with no protection when he fell. A couple of months earlier, on nearby Whitehorse Ledge, a climber took a leader fall of only 30 feet and wound up with a spiral fracture of the lower leg. By comparison, Thompson was quite fortunate. (Source: Rick Wilcox, Mountain Rescue Service Leader)