FALL ON ROCKS, CLIMBING ALONE

Washington, Mount Rainier

On June 7, 1982, Dr. Paul Shearer (60), a cardiologist from California and a locally- registered solo climber, broke his leg when he fell. He reported the following to Ranger Bundy Philips.

Shearer left Paradise on June 7, crossed the Nisqually Glacier and climbed up “The Fan.” He climbed to about 3000 meters and made a camp. The next morning he made a summit try but decided not to continue. He returned to his camp, then went out hiking and was scrambling around some rocks at the 3200-meter level when he stumbled and boot-top-fractured his left leg just above the ankle. He dragged himself down to camp, pulling his broken leg on top of his good leg. He stayed at his 3000-meter camp that night, then moved down to 2500 meters and camped there Wednesday night. Thursday he dragged himself down The Fan and across the Nisqually. He dropped his pack at the base of The Fan. Ranger Knox and Philips sledded him to Paradise Lodge, where he was met at about 2200 hours and taken to Memorial Hospital in Yakima. (Source: Bundy Philips, Ranger, Mount Rainier National Park)

Analysis

While this is more of a hiking and scrambling accident, it is included because of the remarkable self-rescue effort. (Source: George Sainsbury and J. Williamson)