FALL ON ROCK–UNABLE TO SELF-RESCUE

Colorado, Eldorado State Park

On August 8, A twenty-eight-year-old male experienced climber was leading the fourth pitch of Rewritten (5.7) on Redgarden Wall when he slipped and fell twelve feet. The victim’s protection held and the belayer was able to stop the fall. However, the victim’s lower right leg caught on a rock during the incident resulting in a multiple fracture to that leg. Because of their location on the route approximately 300 feet above the ground, the belayer was unable to lower the victim down. A nearby climber witnessed the fall and called 911 on his cellular phone. Rescue personnel reached the victim from the base of Rewritten. They stabilized his leg and lowered him to safety. (Source: Steve Muelhauser, Park Ranger)