FALL ON ROCK, INADEQUATE PROTECTION, INADEQUATE RELAY,

EXCEEDING ABILITIES

California, Yosemite Valley, Bishops Terrace

Keith Kramer (22) was planning on climbing Bishops Terrace with a new climbing partner who had little to no experience. Kramer did not have a guide book and was able to locate Bishops Terrace. Kramer only had a short period of time to climb that afternoon, as he was expected at work at 1530. While looking for the Terrace, Kramer came across Serenity Crack. He stated: “I was running out of time and wanted to climb badly. The crack looked fairly easy to I decided to try it. I climbed up to the first bolt and then came back down because none of my pro would fit. I was running out of time to climb so I said the hell with it and started climbing again. I clipped the first bolt and was almost to the second, within five inches, when my feet started to slip. I yelled for my partner to catch me as I started to slide down on my knees and hands. I could see my partner below me all ready to catch me, but I hit the ground before the rope tightened up.” Kramer's partner, Alan Carrey, ran for help to the Ahwahnee where he phoned 911. Kramer was evacuated by park rangers. He had sustained a closed fracture of the tibula and fibula. (Source: John Dill, SAR Ranger, Yosemite National Park)