Rocky Mountain National Park rangers were notified by climbers that a man fell from the summit of Batman Rock to the base around 6:15 p.m. on September 19. The 24-year-old Vancouver, British Columbia, man was hiking and scouting climbing routes. He was standing near the edge when he slipped. He was not roped up or anchored.

Park rangers reached the man an hour later. He had not suffered life-threatening injuries but was unable to walk. Rangers spent the night with the man, and operations to evacuate him began the next morning. The technical rescue took place over steep and rocky terrain. Fifty people were involved with the litter carry-out. The team reached the Lumpy Ridge trailhead at 2:30 p.m., and the man was transferred to an ambulance from Estes Park Medical Center. (Source: Estes Park Trail-Gazette.)

ANALYSIS

Scouting routes requires diligence regarding proximity to the edge of the cliff and the security of footing. Often, climbers are excited and not paying attention to where they are placing their feet. One moment of inattention or loss of balance can result in going over the edge. When in doubt, anchor in. (Source: The Editors.)