FALL ON ROCK, INADEQUATE PROTECTION

California, Thunder Rolt Peak

On July 8, 1991, Kent Jameson (32) fell from a ledge on Thunder Bolt Peak. He had rappelled to the ledge and was waiting for his friend, Terry Robinson, to rappel down to him. Jameson fell 100 to 150 feet. Robinson rappelled down to him, noted his injuries, and continued down to Palisades Glacier to get help.

A mountaineering school was holding class there, and Robinson told one of the instructors to get help. He then took sleeping bags back to his friend and waited with him through the evening. Robinson said Jameson told him during the night that he had failed to secure himself to the ledge before releasing the rappelling rope.

A backcountry U. S. Forest Service ranger notified Inyo County Search and Rescue.

Jameson was alive through the night and died shortly after Robinson spotted the forest service helicopter at 0630. Robinson performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation for as long as possible. The cause of death is listed as a punctured lung. (Source: From a newspaper account in the Daily Independent, July 9, 1991, Ridgecrest, CA)