On Christmas day, a male climber, 26, fell a significant distance while soloing frozen Cascade Falls and died as a result of his injuries. Cascade Falls is a very popular ice route (300m, WI3) near the town of Banff.

ANALYSIS

The dangers of unroped soloing are obvious. The temperature on this day was well above freezing, with recent intermittent rain. The ice may have been in poor condition. There have been previous accidents (including at least one fatality) on this route as a result of rockfall and avalanches. (Sources: Published accounts and the Editors.)