Fall on Snow, Unable to Place Protection, Poor Position, Colorado, Mount Powell, Northwest Couloir

Publication Year: 1997.

FALL ON SNOW, UNABLE TO PLACE PROTECTION, POOR POSITION

Colorado, Mount Powell, Northwest Couloir

On July 6, W. H. (m. 26) and K. D. (f. 30) decided to climb unroped because of lack of available protection and soft snow unable to hold snow flukes or stakes. At the top of the snowfield, footing gave way, K. D. tumbled down 1,000 feet of Hourglass Couloir, colliding with rock walls of a narrow chute. W. H. climbed down to K.D., while other members of the party left the field for a 911 call. K. D. was conscious with obvious fracture of the upper extremities. SAR responded with 14 members, resulting in Flight for Life evacuation. (Source: Summit County Search and Rescue)