FALL ON ROCK, WET ROCK, HASTE

Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park, Hallett Peak

On July 29, Robert Logan (37) and Chris Weaver (25) were attempting the Culp-Bossier Route (III, 5.8) on Hallett Peak. While leading the second to last pitch around 1700, Logan encountered a wet section of rock of moderate difficulty. He attempted to hand- jam a wet off-hands crack but slipped and sustained a 20 foot lead fall. He received abrasions on his buttocks and experienced severe lower back pain due to three fractured lumbar vertebrae. Belayer Weaver and a nearby team of climbers (Ralph Bums and Andy Donson) were able to raise Logan to the top of the route, where his injuries were stabilized and rescue summoned.

Analysis

The efforts by Weaver, Bums, and Donson in completing a pitch and a half of raising are noteworthy and commendable. Consider stabilizing the injuries before moving the patient if possible. Logan was lucky in having stable fractures to his back. Had the fractures been unstable, he might have sustained additional injuries from the raising. (Source: Jim Detterline, Longs Peak Supervisory Climbing Ranger, Rocky Mountain National Park)