FALL ON ROCK, DESCENDING UNROPED

Alberta, Rocky Mountains, Mount Edith Cavell

On July 17, 1984, two climbers ascended the east ridge of Mount Edith Cavell. They had five years climbing experience, and were equipped with rock climbing equipment and overnight gear. At 1100, while they were descending the west ridge unroped, one of the climbers slipped off a rock ledge, perhaps because of a collapse of the ledge. He fell 20 meters, hit a small ledge, was thrown out from the rock face, cartwheeled to a snow chute, and slid some distance down the snow chute before stopping. He had an apparent fracture of the right and left ulna and radius, a possible fracture of the zyphoid process, lower back pain, and head and facial lacerations.

His partner climbed down to him and assisted him down the west ridge and through Verdant Pass. He set up camp, then walked and hitch-hiked to the nearest telephone to notify the Jasper Park Warden Service at 1530. The victim was evacuated by helicopter. (Source: Jasper Park Warden Service)