On July 5, a party of three climbers was attempting a new route on Mt. Fury, a remote peak in the Picket Range. The lead climber accidentally caused some rockfall, which impacted the belayer in the head. Luckily, he was wearing a helmet, but his injuries were such that the party used an inReach device to request a rescue.

ANALYSIS

A first ascent in North Cascades National Park inevitably will involve a fair amount of objective hazards, including rockfall. Whenever possible, choose belay stations that are sheltered or out of the fall line of the leader above. (Source: North Cascades National Park Mountaineering Rangers.)