Fall on Rock, Wisonsin, Devil's Lake State Park

Publication Year: 1984.

FALL ON ROCK

Wisconsin, Devil’s Lake State Park

On May 15, 1983, about 1415, the South Shore Office was notified that there had been a fall on the East Bluff. About 1420 I went to the fall site. About 1425, Officers

Pyfferoen and Zipsie responded from the North Shore with the rescue truck to the Devil’s Doorway Area. An ambulance was notified about 1430 and arrived at Steinke Basin about 1450. We arrived at the scene about 1440. The victim, Greg Stroupe (29), was conscious, in good spirits and had been sitting up. He complained of pain in the left knee, left wrist, tail bone and jaw areas, and had been unconscious for about four minutes. With the assistance of nearby climbers, the victim was placed onto a litter and pulled up the bluff about 12 meters, and from there carried to the rescue truck. About 1510 the victim was transferred to the Baraloo Ambulance at Steinke Basin. (Source: Officer John Burnesch, Devil’s Lake State Park)

Analysis

The victim stated he was leading a climb up a rock face known as Jolly Roger and he put in “a bad hex” and it popped out, causing him to fall about ten meters to a rock ledge below. He stated he had made this climb before. He also had been drinking wine before the fall. There was no sign of any climbing gear or ropes when the officers arrived. (Source: Officer John Burnesch, Devil s Lake State Park)