FALL INTO CREVASSE, CLIMBING UNROPED

British Columbia, Purcell Mountains, Howser Towers

At 5:30 p.m. on August 8, 1982, a party of three approached the West Ridge route on South Howser Tower. They were at an elevation of about 9400 feet on the snow- covered glacier, when Daniel Dauwe (32) fell through a snow bridge into a crevasse. He stopped on a ledge in kneedeep water, about 50 feet down.

His companions lowered a rope with jumars and he was able to climb back up within 15 minutes. He was bruised all over, had a headache, had suffered slight shock and was soaked completely through. He was given warm clothing and the party then descended to the Boulder Camp Hut, arriving at 9 p.m. (Source: S. Shaw)

Analysis

The party should have been roped for travel over the snow-covered glacier. (Source: S. Shaw)