FALL ON ROCK AND SLIP ON ICE, CLIMBING UNROPED, FAILURE TO TEST HOLDS

California, Sierra Nevada

On May 19, 1985, Sean Collinsworth (29) was climbing a 5.4 rock and was about 65 meters from the summit of University Peak when he pulled a hold loose and fell 15 meters vertically to a snow slope, where he slid another 50 meters bouncing off rocks before coming to a halt. His partner, Laura Gatner (29) was descending to him when she slipped on an ice covered rock and fell 65 meters down the snow slope, also bouncing off rocks.

They sustained multiple injuries, but were able to descend 600 meters to their base camp at Bench Lake. Collinsworth walked out for help the next morning, and Gatner was littered out by China Lake Mountain Rescue Group the next night. Temperatures at altitude had been well below freezing with high winds. (Source: Daryl Hinman, China Lake Mountain Rescue Group)