FALL ON ROCK, CLIMBING ALONE AND UNROPED

Alberta, Kananaskis Country, Mount Lorette

On July 15, a 23-year-old man, who had set out on a solo climb of Mount Lorette’s South Ridge (5.6), failed to return home as expected. He left a note describing the planned route and expected return time. A search was mounted by Kananaskis RCMP, Canmore and Kananaskis conservation officers, Alpine Helicopters and supported by Kananaskis Emergency Medical Services. “Searchers flew around the area and they found what they thought was a backpack and when they went down for a closer look they confirmed that it was the climber,” said Kananaskis EMS spokesman Rob Jones. The unidentified climber was found at the foot of a scree slope. It appears that he lost his grip or footing and had fallen down the slope for approximately 150 to 200 feet. (Source: Pablo Fernandez, Calgary Sun)