FALL ON ROCK, CLIMBING UNROPED

Colorado, Fern Canyon

On March 24, 1986, two climbers were down-climbing a mid fifth class section of Seal Rock in the Fern Canyon area of Bouder when one slipped and fell. Neither was roped at the time. The victim was stabilized by members of the Colorado Mountain Club who happened to be nearby, and subsequently evacuated by members of the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group.

The victim was paralyzed from the waist down, and died a few weeks later of a pulmonary embolism. (Source: Tom Mullen, Rocky Mountain Rescue Group)