INADEQUATE PROTECTION, EXCEEDING ABILITIES, NO HARD HAT

Washington, Index

On March 16,1986, Paul Birdstrup (35) was climbing Magic Fern (5.8+) on Index Town Wall, a one pitch route. Doing the 5.8+ moves, the climber took a minor fall and became frustrated and slightly frightened. Climbing farther up, he took one more small tumble and decided to be lowered down by his belayer. He set up a sling around a horn to be lowered off; however, he was too high above the horn. He put his weight on the sling, which popped off the horn. He fell approximately 15 meters to the ground, due to no protection in below the horn. His head impacted on a large stump, breaking his skull into many pieces. (Source: Robert Madsen)