SLIP ON SNOW/ICE

California, Mount Whitney

On February 4, 1984, Rob Heineman (22) was descending the Mountaineers Route off Mount Whitney after a successful ascent of the East Face with his partner. The descent route is normally done third class, but because of ice and snow on the route, the climbers decided to rappel. Part way down, Heineman’s foot broke through the snow and ice and went into a crack in the rocks, resulting in his falling over backwards and breaking his fibula and a bone in his foot. His partner helped him down and went for help. (Source: Michael Renta, China Lake Mountain Rescue Group)