FALL ON ROCK, FALLING ROCK, CLIMBING UNROPED

Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park, Notchtop Mountain

On July 1,1984, after completing a successful ascent of the Spiral Route on Notchtop Mountain, Charles Sperry (20) and Lee Jamieson (19) unroped and began an unprotected traverse of the summit ridge (a narrow ledge system) to the top of the descent gully. About 0900 Jamieson was either hit by falling rock or his hand-hold failed, causing him to fall over 100 meters down the near-vertical gully wall sustaining fatal injuries in the fall. Rangers responded and carried out a helicopter recovery from the scene. (Source: Charlie Logan, Ranger, Rocky Mountain National Park)

Analysis

It is not known for certain whether a hand-hold failed or Jamieson was hit from above. It either case, on that particular section of the traverse, it may have been better to protect the narrow and unforgiving ledge system. Many climbers, including Park Rangers, have successfully negotiated the traverse unroped with no error and, therefore, no problem. In retrospect the potential is unfortunately all to clear. The traverse should be protected if one would prefer a second chance. (Source: Charlie Logan, Ranger, Rocky Mountain National Park)