STRANDED, INADEQUATE EQUIPMENT, CLIMBING ALONE

Colorado, Second Flatiron

On September 4, rescuers were dispatched to the Second Flatiron on a report of a stranded climber. Noah Gershon (20) was located on a near vertical edge of the “Pullman Car,” a rock feature on the upper portion of the Second Flatiron. Due to Gershon’s location, it took almost two hours to reach and secure him. Gershon was then assisted to the summit, and hiked out to the trailhead under his own power. He was not injured.

Analysis

Gershon has some experience climbing and was “bouldering” on the edge of the Second Flatiron when he decided to climb the Flatiron’s face. He was unfamiliar with the common routes and got into a situation where he was unable to climb further up and could not down-climb to easier terrain. Gershon had on rock climbing shoes, but did not have a harness, helmet or rope with him. (Source: Boulder County Sheriff's Department)