Wyoming, Tetons. On July 3rd Vladimir Farkas and Dean Smith (age 30) were descending the Grand Teton by the Owen-Spalding Route after a climb of the North Ridge. While holding a polypropylene handline Smith slipped on icy snow.

The line was too slippery to grip, and he slid off its end while going into ice axe selfarrest with the other hand. He slid over a stone lip, onto another snow slope, and managed to stop at the bottom after losing his axe. (Source: Smith.)

Analysis: The slipperiness of polypropylene and the small diameter used for handlines make a difficult combination.