FALL ON SNOW, CLIMBING UNROPED, NO HARD HAT, INADEQUATE FOOTWEAR

Colorado, Crestone Needle

On September 11, 1982, Duane Best (22), a Western State College student, fell more than 80 meters to his death while ascending Crestone Needle with a companion, Geoffrey Bogar. Although they had climbing equipment with them, they were not using it. Best was climbing in tennis shoes. (Source: News clipping sent by Freddie Carter from Pueblo, Colorado)

Analysis

Two other fatalities on Crestone Needle occurred in October 1982. Over the past five years, there have been at least six fatalities and several accidents and incidents on this peak. The Guide to the Colorado Mountains by Robert M. Ormes describes the routes on this peak in ways that do not alert the potential climber to the consistent hazards of changing weather and patches of snow that are, at times, hard packed or situated where one might not expect to encounter them, especially late in the summer. This can be a deceiving area, particularly for the uninitiated. (Source: J. Williamson)