Slip on Rock, Inadequate Protection, Weather, Inexperience — Alberta, Rocky Mountains, Mount Olive

Publication Year: 1985.

SLIP ON ROCK, INADEQUATE PROTECTION, WEATHER, INEXPERIENCE

Alberta, Rocky Mountains, Mount Olive

On August 10, 1984, a party of ten on a novice climbing course was forced to descend off Mount Olive, a moderate mixed climb, by an approaching thunderstorm. The party was downclimbing on two ropes, when one man (27) slipped and fell about seven meters into rocks. He suffered cuts and bruises to his face, head, and hip. He was helped to walk to Bow Hut on the Wapta Icefields, and the leader then walked out for help. The warden service evacuated the victim by helicopter. (Source: Banff Park Warden Service)

Analysis

Considering the difficulty of the terrain, the ratios of novice climbers to instructors (9 to 1) and climbers per rope (5) were tod high. (Source: Banff Park Warden Service)