Rappel Failure, Failure to Test Anchor, Inexperience, Utah Wasatch Range

Publication Year: 1984.

RAPPEL FAILURE, FAILURE TO TEST ANCHOR, INEXPERIENCE

Utah, Wasatch Range

On February 23, 1983, Kurt Fashimpuar (18) fell fifteen meters onto a scree slope when his two-and-a-half-centimeter webbing sling anchor broke just as he was about to rappel. He suffered a cerebral concussion and a fractured coccyx. (Source: Dr. Richard Wallin, Salt Lake City)

Analysis

Fashimpuar’s friends had placed the webbing sling through a three-piton anchor system, but was unfamiliar with the self-equalizing setup. Without testing the anchor or checking for sharp-angled rock contact, Fashimpuar backed up two steps and the webbing parted, probably from being cut on a sharp edge. He had just purchased the sling, and had never climbed with experienced people before. (Source: Dr. Richard Wallin, Salt Lake City)