SLIP ON SNOW, FALL INTO MOAT, CLIMBING ALONE, INADEQUATE EQUIPMENT

Utah, Mount Timpanogos

On May 23, 1982, Terrence Brown (28) left his residence at 0700 to hike up Mount Timpanogos. The following day, at 1000, he was reported missing. His dog was found with his vehicle at the Aspen Grove trail head. A hasty search revealed he had fallen 25–30 meters into a large moat, probably while glissading. The spot was approximately where two people had died two years previously. (See Accidents in North American Mountaineering 1980.) (Source: Dr. Richard Wallin and Owen Quar- enberg)

Analysis

This accident illustrates the high perils of travel over snow in areas of buried runoff channels, buried high-angle rock and other hidden dropoffs. Only knowledge and a high index of suspicion can prevent such an event. Proper safety precautions, including ice-ax probing, knowledge of self-arrest technique, wearing a hard hat and, perhaps, glacier travel technique, best meet the demand. (Source: Dr. Richard Wallin, Salt Lake City)