Fall on Rock, Inexperience, New Hampshire, Mount Washington

Publication Year: 1984.

FALL ON ROCK, INEXPERIENCE

New Hampshire, Mount Washington

On December 31, 1982, at 2300, Edward Aalbue (21) fell to his death while out looking for a friend who was overdue from a climb of the Central Gully in Huntington Ravine. Aalbue went out toward the climb from Harvard Cabin, where he and his friends from an outing club at a New York college were staying. He slipped on a rock, six or seven meters up from the base of the climb, and landed on his head on the scree and talus below. (Source: Rick Wilcox, New Hampshire Mountain Rescue Service)

Analysis

While this is not considered a climbing accident, it is reported to illustrate how quickly hiking can turn into a climbing situation. Aalbue was concerned for his friend, but did not have the proper equipment and training for the conditions encountered. His overdue friend, who had some experience, got lost on the descent, arriving on the scene as an evacuation was underway. (Source: J. Williamson)