Fall on Rock, Alberta, Rocky Mountains, Mount Ishbel

Publication Year: 1988.

FALL ON ROCK

Alberta, Rocky Mountains, Mount Ishbel

On October 5, 1987, a party of two climbed the finger on Mount Ishbel. On the descent, one of the climbers tripped on an untied shoelace, causing him to tumble down steep Class 4 terrain, severely cutting his knee and bruising his hip. Unable to walk, he spent a cold night out while his partner went for help. The injured climber was slung out by helicopter the following morning by the Banff National Park Warden Service. (Source: Banff National Park Warden Service)

Analysis

Both of the climbers were experienced, and this section of the descent is normally downclimbed unroped. At the time of the accident, dusk was rapidly approaching, and haste may have been a contributing factor. It is difficult to be a mountain goat with your shoes untied! (Source: Banff National Park Warden Service)