LOSS OF CONTROL—VOLUNTARY GLISSADE, INADEQUATE EQUIPMENT

California, Yosemite Valley

On May 15, 1985, Frances St. Amant (38) stated that he and his partner had climbed Overhang Bypass the previous day, bivvied, then descended Gunsight early in the morning. He tried to glissade a small (30 meter) snow patch at the base of Gunsight using a hand held rock for self-arrest. He couldn’t arrest, slid about 24 meters, and hit a boulder with his feet. This resulted in a dislocated and fractured ankle, and required evacuation. (Source: John Dill, SAR Ranger, Yosemite National Park)