Fall on Ice, Followed by Cardiac Arrest

Colorado, Telluride, Bridal Veil Falls
Climb Year: 2012. Publication Year: 2013.

Midday on January 15, Jack Roberts (58), a renowned ice climber and alpinist, died on the 400-foot Bridal Veil Falls (WI5). Jack was leading the second pitch, a long, steep pillar on the right side of the falls, when he fell 60 feet, breaking his hip. His belayer was able to signal hikers below, who summoned the San Miguel County Search and Rescue group. While waiting for rescue, Jack suffered a cardiac arrest and died. Forty minutes of CPR were unable to resuscitate him.

Analysis

According to local climbers, Bridal Veil had been in difficult condition, with a roof on the first pitch and a very steep pillar on the second pitch, where Roberts fell. The second pitch was reportedly wet. (Source: Rockandice.com, January 16, 2012.) (Editor’s note: Roberts’ partner, Jonathan Miller, wrote a full account from his point of view, published at coldthistle.blogspot.com.)