Falling Rock — Failure to Test Holds

Wyoming, Wind River Range, Cirque of the Towers
Climb Year: N/A. Publication Year: 2010.

On August 1, while ascending Pingora Peak, Kelsey Dayton pulled a large rock off while following Joe Kelsey up a 4th-class chimney The rock grazed her helmeted head then broke her left humerus.

Analysis

Mid-altitude mountaineering in this location has significant loose rock hazards due to freeze/thaw cycles. (Source: John Gookin, SAR Commander, FSCO)