Weather, Stranded—Benighted, Inadequate Clothing and Equipment, Exhaustion, California, Yosemite National Park, Tuolumne Meadows, Faireview Dome

Publication Year: 2005.

WEATHER, STRANDED—BENIGHTED, INADEQUATE CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT, EXHAUSTION

California, Yosemite National Park, Tuolumne Meadows, Fairview Dome

On September 19, two Japanese climbers, Kengo Tagai (31) and Akira Uasa (39), began ascending Fairview Dome at 0830. when they reached the 4th class area of the route (about 2-300 feet from the top), they were exhausted and the rock was wet from snow-fall. They were unable to complete the route, and as they only had one rope, were unable to descend. They spent the night huddled under a nylon tarp on a ledge. They had no bivouac gear.

On the following day, Tagai climbed out, but Uasa was unable to follow. Akira Uasa was short hauled off, then helicoptered to Mammoth Hospital for treatment for kidney failure. Kengo Tagai had frostbitten toes and swollen feet, but suffered no permanent damage. (Source: From an NPS SAR report)