FALL ON SNOW—UNABLE TO SELF-ARREST, CLIMBING UNROPED, EXCEEDING ABILITIES

Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park, Longs Peak

On October 11, Madrone Coopwood (24) slid 200 feet on Lambs Slide at Longs Peak. Coopwood struck the rocks at the base of the snow, sustaining a right illiac fracture, slight rib fractures, and a pneumothorax of the right lung.

Analysis

Studying the past history of a route may allow one to prepare against recurrent problems. Since the epic first slide of Rev. Elkanah Lamb in 1871, Lambs Slide has been the scene of numerous similar accidents, some even resulting in death. (Source: Jim Detterline, Longs Peak Supervisory Climbing Ranger)