NO EXPERIENCE - SOLO CLIMBING, INADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FALL ON ROCK

Kentucky, Red River Gorge, Beachcomber

On February 13, Shaun Wilhoite (28) was camping in the area with a large group of friends. The group hiked to Pebble Beach around 2:00 p.m. Upon arriving, Shaun began to free-solo Beachcomber (5.4) in leather hiking boots. His friends said he had no rock climbing experience. When he started climbing, the rest tried to stop him but he did not listen. After topping out, he moved over onto the Arrowhead Pinnacle, from which he fell about 54 feet, headfirst, onto the rock-strewn base. His three best friends tried to revive him, but he had apparently died instantly.

RRGMRT responded and performed the recovery. Resuscitation attempts at the scene were unsuccessful. (Source: From a post on redriverclimbing.com)