FALLING ROCK, INEXPERIENCE, POOR POSITION

Washington, North Cascades

On August 7, 1986, George Newberry, director of the National Outdoor Leadership School’s (NOLS) Northwest Office, reported that Neal Bibbins (23) had been hit in the face with a rock.

While ascending fixed rope on a wide, shallow gully below Perfect Pass, rock fall started from a treed area adjacent to the route above Bibbins. Warning was shouted by observers from above. Bibbins looked up and appeared to be struck as he immediately tried to pivot and duck. A helmet and safe-belay had been used. Bibbins was approximately 15 meters from the bottom of the gully when struck. An instructor reached him in about one minute and immediately helped him back down out of the gully. Preliminary first aid was administered to puncture wounds of the face. Within 15 minutes, a move to secure camp for the night and the evacuation process for the next day was initiated. Assistant leader Marit Snow hiked out to Glacier Ranger Station and reported the accident to Newberry. Newberry requested permission to fly into the accident site and transport Bibbins to Baker Lake. Permission was granted. (Source: William Leiter, North Cascades National Park, and Jim Ferguson, NOLS leader)

Analysis

The proper immediate response to rock fall must be stressed: Bibbins should not have looked when the warning was shouted. Injury might have been avoided if he had instead