On March 19 a man (27) was standing on a belay ledge at the Sunnyside Wall when he stepped back too far and fell off the ledge. He impacted the ground about 15 feet below and sustained a back injury. Muir Valley Rescue responded and litter-carried the victim to an ambulance waiting on the Muir Emergency Road.

Analysis

The belayer should have tethered himself to the belay anchors to prevent a fall from the ledge. Belay anchors are located at this and similar locations in the valley. (Source: Rick Weber, Muir Valley.)