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Incident
Lead climber placed insufficient gear in rock. Placed two pieces at a height of around 5m and continued climbing through bold section to around 9m, just below ledge and pegs. Took a lead fall, with foot catching rope and inverting climber. Climber hit protruding slab of rock to belayer's right.
Lessons
Importance of placing more trad gear lower down.
Inherent risk of routes with bold sections.
Care in selecting easier routes early season (Feb).
Care with ropework, to negate chances of inversion during fall.
Pushing away from rock, at moment of lead fall.
Absorbent foam-shell helmets preferable to hardshell helmets.
Basic first-aid training recommended for climbers.
Consideration of route access for emergency services.
Mobile phone signal strength in areas with poor coverage.
Activity
Trad rock climbing
When
Ascending
Injury
Fatality
Causes
Route Selection, Lead Climbing Fall
Anonymous?
Yes
Reported By
Partner
Wearing Helmets?
Yes
Rescue Services Involved?
Avon & Somerset Police, Ambulance, Fire Service.
Author
3 July 2020 at 14:21:23
For more advice and guidance on good practices visit BMC skills
All reports are self-submitted and have not been edited by the BMC in any way, so please keep an open mind regarding the lessons and causes of each incident or near-miss.