Fall on Rock, Rappel Error — Failed to Clip into Anchor

California, Joshua Tree National Park, Saddle Rock
Climb Year: 2011. Publication Year: 2012.

On August 16, a man (36) was critically injured when he lost control of his rappel and fell more than 100 feet.

He was canyoneering, according to one report, and it took one set of rescuers seven hours to reach him, including seven rappels and three swim crossings at night. The entire rescue took 30 people and more than 2,200 feet of rope. They ended up raising him 450 feet to a ledge from which he could be short-hauled. (Source: Edited from an article and posting sent to us.) (Editor’s Note: No other incidents were reported from Arizona in 2011.)