FATIGUE, FALL ON ROCK, PROTECTION PULLED OUT

Colorado, Eldorado Canyon State Park

On January 17, a climber (male – 25) with limited experience and unfamiliar with “Dirt Deed” (5.6) the route he was on, became fatigued upon approaching the first ledge of the first pitch. His belayer observed him stopping to rest. As he continued to climb, he slipped and fell backwards. After about a 30-foot drop, one of the pieces of protection pulled, and he fell about another 50 feet hitting the rock wall several times. He ended hanging upside down and experienced massive trauma to the head, neck, and body. By the time he was lowered to the ground, fellow climbers noted that he had no pulse and was not breathing. He was not able to be resuscitated. (Source: Steve Muelhauser, Park Manager, and Conrad Bieniulis, Seasonal Park Ranger)