On May 12 at 7 p.m., Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue was called out for two injured rock climbers in Big Cottonwood Canyon. A party of two was climbing Goodro’s Wall (5.10c) at Storm Mountain Island when a large rock near the start of the route gave way.

The rockfall seriously injured one climber and killed the belayer. Salt Lake County SAR responded along with Unified Fire, Unified Police, AirMed, and Utah Department of Public Safety. Due to the location of the patients, a technical lowering system was set up and the surviving patient was brought down to the parking lot and flown by AirMed to the hospital.

ANALYSIS

After the accident, Salt Lake County SAR noted that Goodro’s is a well-traveled route that was first climbed more than 70 years ago. But, they warned, after the accident that, “due to the wet, cool winter and spring this season, people need to be aware for the potential of loose rock even in well-traveled areas. Climbers also need to be in the habit of tapping potentially loose holds with their palm or knuckle. A hollow sound will tell you to proceed with caution. The rock that killed the belayer was covered with many years’ accumulation of chalk. Beware holds marked with a chalk “X.” (Source: Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue and the Editors.)

*Editor’s Note: Up to a week prior to this accident, there were posts on Mountain Project warning of yet another “frighteningly loose” block immediately below the anchor chains on Goodro’s Wall.