FALLING ROCK

Washington, Guye Peak

On June 1, while climbing on the lower part of the south section of Guye Peak’s West Face, Kristin Beerli was struck and injured by a large (about 100 pounds) rock slab that came loose while she was being top belayed. Seattle Mountain Rescue personnel responded, and a MAST helicopter from Fort Lewis was dispatched. The victim was rescued and transported to a medical center where she was treated for a punctured lung.

During the rescue, the medic’s pack was blown off the ridge by rotor downdraft. It tumbled 300 feet down the face, scattering the contents over the scree slope below. Observers reported that the helicopter rotor had contacted tree branches while hovering above the victim. (Source: Bergtrage, Number 148, December 1996)