Ground Fall – Inadequate Belay

Kentucky, Red River Gorge, Roadside Crag
Author: Wolfe County Search and Rescue. Climb Year: 2017. Publication Year: 2018.

In early June, a climber took a 35-foot ground fall from the fifth bolt on Fadda (5.10a sport) due to belayer error. While the climber’s fall was partially arrested by his belayer, slowing his descent, he struck the ground at a high rate of speed, resulting in multiple abrasions and traumatic injuries to his ribs and pelvis. (Source: Wolfe County Search and Rescue.)