On May 24, a climber in his early 20s was leading Rye Crisp (5.8) while his sister belayed him. According to his sister, he was an experienced climber who leads up to 5.11. Because the climb was relatively easy for him, he had not placed any protection, though there was ample opportunity to do so. Approximately 40 feet up, his foot slipped and he fell to the ground, landing on a granite slab on his left elbow. The elbow was severely broken. Climbing ranger Brad Shilling and four other climbers, all wilderness first responders, assisted the climber, placed him on a backboard, and evacuated him to a waiting ambulance.

Analysis

A slip can happen at any time, no matter how experienced you are. If you have protection with you (as he did) there’s no reason not to use it. (Source: Anonymous responder at the accident scene.)