FALL ON SNOW, UNROPED, INADEQUATE EQUIPMENT

British Columbia, Coast Mountains, The Lions

Dan J. and Kris J. were descending crusty snow after a climb about midafternoon on January 20, 1991, when Dan fell, and slid about 100 meters before he struck a tree. He sustained back, leg, and neck injuries. Kris descended to Lions Bay, the nearest village, where rescue operations were started at 1650. Ground support was provided by Lions Bay SAR and the North Shore Rescue Team, and an Armed Forces helicopter summoned from Comox picked up the injured climber about 2230 by the light of flares dropped from a second aircraft. He was flown directly to a hospital in Vancouver, where he was released the following day after treatment. (Source: Ian Kay, Vancouver)

Analysis

Again, details of this incident are unknown, but it appears that the seriousness of the terrain was underestimated. Considering the result of this slip, it would have been prudent for the climbers to take better precautions to protect themselves while moving through it. It appears that they did not have crampons, ice axes, or a rope. (Source: Orvel Miskiw, ACC Calgary Section)