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Don Paul
Big Wall climber
Colombia, South America
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The leader somehow knocked off a loose block and the block hit his belayer in the face.
Horrible, and this is just after another death on the Muir from loose rock getting pulled off. There is probably a lesson to be learned from this incident also. I hope an accident report is posted when its done. The worst part of these things is that most of the time, the mistakes causing the accident were judgment errors rather than someone not knowing what they were doing. Death is really common in this community.
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jcory86
Big Wall climber
Grass Valley, CA
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thanks Werner. sorry its been so busy.
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Matt's
climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 3, 2013 - 02:57pm PT
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Climber Dislodged Rock that Strikes Climbing Partner
A twenty eight year old climber died in a rock climbing accident on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park yesterday afternoon, Sunday, June 2, 2013. Felix Joseph Kiernan, from London, England, was climbing on the East Buttress of El Capitan, a popular climbing route in Yosemite Valley, when he was struck by a rock.
Kiernan and his climbing partner were approximately 600 feet up the climbing route when a loose block was dislodged. The block, estimated to be one foot by two feet, fell approximately 150 feet before striking Kiernan and causing fatal injuries. The incident occurred at approximately 2:00 p.m.
A second party climbing just below Kiernan immediately called the Yosemite Emergency Communication Center via cell phone and reported the incident. Yosemite Park Rangers and Yosemite Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel were immediately dispatched to El Capitan where they began climbing the route to reach the climbing party.
Park Rangers reached Kiernan around 4:00 p.m. and pronounced him deceased. A California Highway Patrol (CHP) helicopter, H-40, and the park’s helicopter, Helicopter 551, assisted in the incident by inserting Park Rangers and rescue equipment onto the wall and hoisting the victim to Yosemite Valley. Park Rangers rappelled the route with Kiernan's partner and the second climbing party.
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Seamstress
Trad climber
Yacolt, WA
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Ominous - thought about the Muir accident as we were climbing in a newish area with lots of loose blocks this past weekend. Sad for the fmailies and must be very difficult for the leader to cope.
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Charlie D.
Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
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A visiting climber from England who I'm certain was simply enjoying a spectacular day in Yosemite climbing on a holiday. RIP brother, my sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Felix.
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alleyehave
Trad climber
San Diego, CA
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I truly hope his partner can find peace. Every leaders worst nightmare. RIP Felix.
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Snowmassguy
Trad climber
Calirado
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Crap. RIP brother.
While typing and thinking about this, I can somehow smell the odor when granite hits granite at high speed. Scary stuff.
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msiddens
Trad climber
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Awful and so sad. RIP
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ag.Fox
Trad climber
Reno, NV
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My prayers and meditations for solace to all involved. Deep condolences to the families of Felix and his partner.
We are all but kind memories in our loved ones hearts.
We are all climbing that stairway to heaven.
So please, let your loved ones know how you cherish their place in you heart today.
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10b4me
Ice climber
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Ive been the leader that dislodged a block that NEARLY kilt a partner.
me too, in Clark Canyon. Scared the sh#t out of me but, not my partner.
my condolences to the family, and friends.
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labrat
Trad climber
Auburn, CA
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RIP ;-(
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billygoat
climber
Pees on beard to seek mates.
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Terrible. I've been that leader as well. Dislodged a block that was nearly the size of the ledge my partner should have been belaying on. Instead, we'd made the somewhat incalculable decision to move the belay halfway up the pitch. I still have no idea why we did that, but we did and we're likely both still alive because it it. To this day, I'm still haunted by the absence of mind that caused me to dislodge that block. And my partner lived! I can't imagine who I'd be if the outcome had been worse.
When I read stuff like this, it's a reminder of how lucky we are to come back home-every time--even when it all goes seemingly well. It's when the bad stuff happens that we should be reminded to keep our heads down when our partners yell rock. I hate to think this is a case of curiosity killing the cat. That happens enough as is.
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le_bruce
climber
Oakland, CA
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Ahh damn that's awful. RIP to the deceased and I'm another hoping his partner an his family + loved ones will find peace in time.
At 2' x 1' and falling 150 ft I'm not sure it would matter, but I wonder whether he was wearing a helmet? Given the impact was to the face I guess it wouldn't matter... Ugggh, awful, sad, uggh
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elcap-pics
Big Wall climber
Crestline CA
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Actually the NPS has told me that I am not to release any information that I glean from shooting or hearing what is said among rescue personnel until it is officially released. Thus I haven't written anything about it until this evening. It was very bad and I will have comments on the Report.
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velvet!
Trad climber
La Cochitaville
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Bump for Felix.
Super good guy and strong as all hell.
He's a doc in the UK with plans to specialize in oncology...
F*ck you, rock climbing.
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ms55401
Trad climber
minneapolis, mn
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The NPS can at most suggest that someone do this, or that someone not do that. It is legally and ethically dubious -- perhaps illegal, certainly absurd -- for the NPS to "tell someone" not to publicly comment truthfully on events he has witnessed.
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John M
climber
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The NPS can at most suggest that someone do this, or that someone not do that. It is legally and ethically dubious -- perhaps illegal -- for the NPS to "tell someone" not to publicly comment truthfully on events he has witnessed.
Not sure, but I believe Tom's gig talking to tourists about climbers is under the NPS. That would mean that they do have some say. I believe mostly they just want to make certain that the family is informed before anyone with any official capacity, no matter how tenuous, makes a statement.
disclaimer, I only know Tom through the forum. what I posted was just my understanding of his gig. I could be entirely wrong.
My condolences to the family and friends.
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ms55401
Trad climber
minneapolis, mn
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oh, well, I didn't know he was/is in some fashion an employee. I thought he was standard-issue citizen.
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Bargainhunter
climber
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A rock that size falling that far....the poor guy didn't have a chance.
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