FALL ON ROCK, FOOT JAMMED

British Columbia, Purcell Mountains, Bugaboo Spire

On August 21, 1986, a party of three climbers of intermediate experience attempted the Northeast Ridge of Bugaboo Spire. It was a warm, sunny day. On the first pitch, at an elevation of 2700 meters, the rope leader (29) fell. His left foot was jammed into a crack, and the force of the fall twisted his ankle. He was stopped by his belayer after a four meter fall.

One of the other climbers was carrying a portable ham radio, and he contacted another ham in Invermere, who initiated a helicopter rescue. The injured climber was bandaged, flown from the base of the pitch to a ranger hut, where his ankle was splinted and wrapped, then flown to hospital. (Source: Susan Shaw, Bugaboo Glacier Provincial Park)

Analysis

The injury was minor, and not one that could have been easily avoided. (Source: Susan Shaw, Bugaboo Glacier Provincial Park)