FALL ON SNOW, INADEQUATE EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING, CLIMBING UNROPED, WEATHER

British Columbia, Purcell Mountains, South Howser-Pigeon Col

On August 2, 1984, two climbers were caught in a thunderstorm on South Howser Tower, and were forced to retreat. On their descent from the col between South Howser and Pigeon Spires, they traversed a steep snow slope at 2700 meters elevation. One of the climbers slipped, and slid down to and over a rock pile, a fall of approximately 60 meters. He then fell another 12 meters below the rocks, landing on snow. He suffered a possible fracture of one ankle. His companion applied a split to the injured ankle, and helped him hobble back to the hut. It was raining heavily. The climbers arrived at the hut around midnight, soaked to the skin and close to hypothermia. The injured climber was evacuated by helicopter the next day. (Source: S. Shaw, Bugaboo Glacier Provincial Park)

Analysis

These climbers were wearing E.B.’s and were not carrying ice axes. (Source: S. Shaw, Bugaboo Glacier Provincial Park)