Pingora Fatalities

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WyoRockMan

climber
South Fork of the Shoshone
Topic Author's Original Post - Aug 31, 2015 - 10:35am PT
Two climbers were killed on Pingora last Friday. Initial reports indicate they were rappelling from the peak when the accident occurred.

Condolences to the friends and families.

http://basinreboot.com/2015/08/31/two-wyoming-men-killed-in-climbing-accident-at-cirque-of-the-towers/
Capt.

climber
some eastside hovel
Aug 31, 2015 - 10:44am PT
Aaaargh. Condolences to all effected. Very sad.
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Aug 31, 2015 - 11:19am PT
My condolences to their loved ones. These tragic accidents happen far too often. Once again we see climbing fatalities due to a rappelling accident.....rarely do people get off with just injuries.
It's been my observation that climbers on this forum seem much more concerned with belay anchors than with rap anchors. You RARELY weight a belay anchor, you ALWAYS weight a rap anchor.
I suppose it's because people find themselves building belay anchors a lot more often then rap anchors.
BEWARE....rap anchors are the most important anchors you will ever make.
BEWARE....when you encounter fixed rap anchors, they should be checked assiduously.
BEWARE....the temptation to save a few bucks because you don't want to leave gear behind.
Leaving a brand new cam could be the best and cheapest investment you ever made.
BEWARE....Know where your rappel is taking you or have the means to get back to your rap point if you don't.
I've rappelled thousands of times, often in trying conditions, and I'm still here. I've said before and it bears repeating, when rappelling....vigilance, vigilance, vigilance!
bluering

Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
Aug 31, 2015 - 11:24am PT
^^^ everything he just said ^^^
mike m

Trad climber
black hills
Aug 31, 2015 - 11:33am PT
so sad to hear this.
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Aug 31, 2015 - 12:02pm PT
Very sorry to read this. Many condolences.
apogee

climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
Aug 31, 2015 - 12:07pm PT
That's just awful. Sorry for all who knew them.

That's such a wonderful, beautiful spot...terrible to have such tragedy there.

(It's been a while since I was there...but isn't the photo in the link above flipped? Or is it my memory?)
skcreidc

Social climber
SD, CA
Aug 31, 2015 - 01:26pm PT
So sorry to hear this! My sincere condolences to family and friends.
clinker

Trad climber
Santa Cruz, California
Aug 31, 2015 - 02:56pm PT
Good advice from Donini, can't be said enough. Leave whatever it takes and git home.

pazreal

Trad climber
Salt Lake City, UT
Aug 31, 2015 - 03:07pm PT
Wonder if they were simul rapping or if there was a total anchor failure that would have pulled them both down.

Tragic regardless.
SteveW

Trad climber
The state of confusion
Aug 31, 2015 - 04:42pm PT

Sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.
Jim Donini's words are so, so true.
Look at his thread '85 rappels. . .
dakotakid

Trad climber
Rochester Hills, MI
Sep 1, 2015 - 06:03pm PT
@apogee, that image is in correct orientation. Taken from Jackass Pass.

Very sad to hear -- was just there last week. Smoke cleared out on Monday, and clear skies when we left on Tuesday.

johnboy

Trad climber
Can't get here from there
Sep 1, 2015 - 06:35pm PT
Ah man, so sad to hear of this.

My condolences to their families and friends.
clockclimb

Trad climber
Orem, Utah
Sep 9, 2015 - 07:50pm PT
I was in the Cirque when the helicopter made five trips in and out. They were landing over near the classic Northeast Face route. People I bumped into heard that was the route where the deaths occurred and that it was due to anchor failure.
Hawkeye

climber
State of Mine
Sep 9, 2015 - 10:11pm PT
It's been my observation that climbers on this forum seem much more concerned with belay anchors than with rap anchors. You RARELY weight a belay anchor, you ALWAYS weight a rap anchor.

this was the way i learned, a long time ago, in the 70's. and while i dont pretend that i have anywhere near the experience of donini, this should be the way folks are trained. sad deal for the family and friends.

i remember way back in the 70's in the winds, on a new 1'200 ft route and having to rap off. scary but great experience that sadly many folks dont get.

i have no idea what happened to the climbers from the thread, still feel awful, but please folks, take care.
bhilden

Trad climber
Mountain View, CA/Boulder, CO
Sep 9, 2015 - 10:12pm PT
Any information on what happened? Was it on the South Buttress or East Ledges descent? Somewhere else?
Crag Q

Trad climber
Louisville, Colorado
Sep 10, 2015 - 05:50am PT
The climbers were bailing from the first few pitches on the NE face on Pingora. The report from the Sherriff's investigation is supposed to be coming soon.

Condolences to the friends and family of the deceased.
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
Sep 10, 2015 - 06:17am PT
Was that the Kieth that runs the guide service based out of Cheyenne?
Charlie D.

Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
Sep 10, 2015 - 08:31am PT
http://wyomingnews.com/articles/2015/09/01/obituaries/01obit_09-01-15.txt#.VfGhy2dRHcs
10b4me

Social climber
Sep 10, 2015 - 08:41am PT
Well, that sucks. My condolences.
Messages 1 - 20 of total 34 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
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