FALLING ROCK, FALL ON ROCK, NO HARD HAT

Wyoming, Tetons

On July 3, 1988, at 1000 Carl Detwyler (36) and Steve Glenn were climbing the route Armed Robbery on Cloudveil Dome. Detwyler was leading the third pitch when the one by two meter rock he was standing on broke off. The rock hit Detwyler’s rope causing him to fall about three to six meters. Detwyler landed on a ledge, was knocked unconscious for three to five minutes, suffered a fractured cervical vertebrae as well as two large lacerations to the head. Detwyler was not wearing a helmet.

After Detwyler regained consciousness, Glenn lowered him to the base of the climb and assisted him to their camp at Taminah Lake. NPS personnel were flown to Taminah Lake where they stabilized Detwyler and flew him to St. John’s Hospital for treatment. (Source: Peter Armington, Ranger, Grand Teton National Park)