In the late afternoon of October 7, a 23-year-old female was leading a route called Kermit’s Wad (5.10a) when she fell near the fourth bolt. The route ascends a steep granite slab, and as she fell, her climbing partners said, she flipped upside down and struck her head on the wall and was knocked unconscious. She was wearing a helmet.

Her climbing partners lowered her to the base of the route and called 911. The woman had some head and face injuries but was able to walk down with assistance from Unified Fire, which was first on the scene. (Source: Salt Lake County Search and Rescue.)

ANALYSIS

It’s not known exactly what caused the leader to turn upside down as she fell, but a foot or ankle tangled in the rope or striking a ledge or foothold as she slid down the steep slab are likely culprits. This incident is a great reminder of the importance of wearing a helmet while climbing relatively “safe” routes such as single-pitch slabs. Though the patient apparently was briefly unconscious after striking her head, she might have suffered much more serious injuries if she had not been using a helmet. (Source: The Editors.)