On May 5, a climber (24) took a 20-foot ground fall after attempting a fixed-line rappel to the base of a cliff at Paradise Forks. While it is not known what knot or block was being used at the anchor, rescuers report the climber attached her rappel device to a short tail of rope rather than the full fixed line. When she weighted her system, she fell. The climber suffered unspecified leg injuries.

ANALYSIS

The fall was a result of not double-checking the rappel setup and not testing it prior to committing to the rappel. Always weight-test the rope while you’re still clipped into the anchor. Even very experienced climbers make mistakes when setting up rappels—safety checks are for everyone. (Source: Paul Clifton, Coconino County Search and Rescue.)