On June 16, a climber (33) was glissading on the Avalanche Gulch route at approximately 11,700 feet when he lost control and injured his shoulder. Apparently he had had surgery on the shoulder in the past and was familiar with the injury. The climber was in the process of self-rescuing when he was contacted by Ranger Brett Wagenheim, who performed a patient assessment. The climber declined further assistance. (Source: Nick Meyers, USFS Lead Climbing Ranger and Avalanche Specialist.)

(Editor’s note: These two glissading incidents point to the importance of the techniques discussed in the Know the Ropes section of this edition. Climbers and hikers frequently overestimate their ability to control a glissade on icy or hard-packed snow.)