Indian Creek fatality

Search
Go

Discussion Topic

Return to Forum List
This thread has been locked
Messages 1 - 20 of total 92 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
Ain't no flatlander

climber
Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 15, 2016 - 12:43pm PT
RIP Mark Davis.

Typical news report with sketchy info:
https://www.ksl.com/?sid=38880696&nid=148&title=man-dies-after-equipment-fails-while-rock-climbing-in-san-juan-county

Anyone have more info?
Trashman

Trad climber
SLC
Mar 15, 2016 - 12:52pm PT
Jeremy Collins was one of the first on scene(see here) sounds like massive head trauma, no idea what occurred fall wise, but sounds like some sort of accident on rappel.

Mark was a really nice guy, he'll definitely be missed.
SC seagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz, Moab, A sailboat, or some time zone
Mar 15, 2016 - 12:55pm PT
Says it was on Rambo Wall. Very popular IC climbing area with some great routes.

Very sorry to hear this. IC season is taking off, not a happy note to start on.


Susan
johntp

Trad climber
socal
Mar 15, 2016 - 01:05pm PT
So many questions. Condolences to family and friends.
YosemiteSteve

Trad climber
CA
Mar 15, 2016 - 04:22pm PT
Via Facebook:

Dawn Kish with Jeremy Collins and 3 others.
28 mins ·
It has been very difficult to process this tragic story in Indian Creek but finally I have a few words to share.
A few days ago, I had witnessed one of my friends, Jeremy Collins, fully commit to the worse tragic climbing accident I have ever seen. The climber unfortunately repelled off his rope and crashed head first on the ground. Jer, first on the seen, was so cool and calm I felt confident he can do this job. Nobody wants this job. Sometimes it chooses you tho and you have to fully commit when it is your turn. Jer was ready. I looked into his eyes as I explained my plan to get help and that I am leaving. My whole body feels like I'm being ripped in two and my heart feels like it is going to burst so I clutch it as I run down the trail. I don't want to leave. I want to stay and help with the climber but I know I need to go for help. I stop briefly to make sure I have GPS coordinates for the rescue party and continue with a heavy heart. After all said and done the climber passes before help can reach him. I see Jer coming down the trail as I bring the sheriffs posse up the trail. We hug and I tell him how proud I am of him. I'm proud of all our friends that day at the crag. We have learned many lessons that day and I'm sure will continue to grow from this experience. Love to all of you.
Also, sending many wishes to the climbers' friends and family. I'm sending you all hugs and my heartfelt sympathies.
YosemiteSteve

Trad climber
CA
Mar 15, 2016 - 04:26pm PT
From Jer on Facebook

Adventure gives and gives and gives. And sometimes it takes, too.
This weekend in Indian Creek it took a life in front of our eyes. I'm sorry to share that we witnessed a great man die as a result of a climbing fall. After an hour of efforts by all of us to keep him breathing he passed in our arms, surrounded by friends and loved ones watching his last beautiful sunset. Life is for living and living fully. There is risk in everything we do, and the most dangerous risk is doing nothing- just waiting in our decorated coffins (houses) for the end. Please be careful while you adventure. Please wear helmets.
Please don't stop doing what you love.
Sending so much love to everyone at the scene, and the friends and family he left behind.
*name omitted for privacy


overwatch

climber
Arizona
Mar 15, 2016 - 04:33pm PT
Been brutal lately...sorry for us all
Bldrjac

Ice climber
Boulder
Mar 15, 2016 - 04:45pm PT
Always so sad, and so terrible for those who were with him. Sounds like he couldn't have been in better hands, and in good company as he passed....small comfort, but comfort nevertheless.
My heart goes out to his friends and families.
Pam Roberts
Vitaliy M.

Mountain climber
San Francisco
Mar 15, 2016 - 04:50pm PT
Must of been a terrible experience. Sorry to hear. RIP.
Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Mar 15, 2016 - 06:42pm PT
The community would benefit from knowledge of some details.

Assuming there were no knots on the rope ends, was there a belay? Ascenders? Device used?

MisterE

Gym climber
Small Town with a Big Back Yard
Mar 15, 2016 - 06:42pm PT
Condolences to family and friends - and strong work by the first responders.
Clint Cummins

Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
Mar 15, 2016 - 06:49pm PT
Most of the climbs on Way Rambo Wall are 100' or less (according to the Bloom guidebook).
These are the ones over 100':
689. Coppertone 5.10, 110'
691. Good Times 5.11- ow, 150'
704. Fuzz 5.10, 130'
We could guess the climb by comparing a doubled 60m rope (100') plus the fall length of 20'.
But I'm sure we'll hear more details about the accident in time.
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Mar 15, 2016 - 06:54pm PT
Condolences to loved ones, another tragic event.
99 % of IC climbs are single pitch where the climber is lowered or raps from established anchors to the ground. IC also has very few beginners nearly everyone who climbs there has relatively a lot of experience. Why oh why are there so many of these accidents involving experienced climbers?
Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Mar 15, 2016 - 06:56pm PT
Clint, judging from post 6 this does not sound like a belayer error.
GDavis

Social climber
SOL CAL
Mar 15, 2016 - 07:00pm PT
Condolences to friends and family, as well as those around who have some things to process.


Ron, might want to start a new thread. Accident discussion and condolences are not great roommates.
Clint Cummins

Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
Mar 15, 2016 - 07:00pm PT
Ron,
Right - rapped off end of rope suggests a properly doubled 60m rope would reach 100' down from the anchors, leaving a 20' fall to the ground.

I'm happy to delete my posts and wait for more details.
I agree that guessing is kind of valueless if more info is coming soon.
phylp

Trad climber
Upland, CA
Mar 15, 2016 - 07:15pm PT
Really, really, really sad.
steve s

Trad climber
eldo
Mar 15, 2016 - 07:17pm PT
Sad to hear this. Condolences to family and friends. RIP Brother
WBraun

climber
Mar 15, 2016 - 08:16pm PT
Moose the drool -- " How the fuk can you screw up a rappel???"

I've probably got thousands of rappels.

And I almost died one time, rope was not threaded thru the the anchor and thought it was, so leaned back to start the rappel
and instinctively at the last second grabbed the anchor because I forgot to double check that time.

It saved my life miraculously.

To fuk up is not hard to do no matter who you are .....
High Fructose Corn Spirit

Gym climber
Mar 15, 2016 - 08:19pm PT
But you did it successfully thousands of times.

You make the commitment never to launch without testing (.e., weighting) the system. Just as you ended up doing.

(1) Make the commitment. (2) Once in motion, never take your eyes off the rope ends.

Moose is spot on.
Messages 1 - 20 of total 92 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
Return to Forum List
 
Our Guidebooks
spacerCheck 'em out!
SuperTopo Guidebooks

guidebook icon
Try a free sample topo!

 
SuperTopo on the Web

Recent Route Beta