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Date of Incident

22/02/2015

Country

Wales

Activity

Scrambling

When

Ascending

Injury

Dislocation or joint injury

Incident


I was part of a four-strong club group climbing this Grade 2 scramble in the Ogwen valley. The group, which had no experience of the route, comprised myself (intermediate scrambler at this time), Person A (aspirant MIA), Person B (experienced climber) and Person C (novice scrambler). I solo'd alongside Person A and watched them build belays to bring Person C up on a rope. Person B solo'd alongside Person C to give them confidence.

Midway up the route it began hailing/snowing and we started to encounter iced up rock. As the weather worsened Person C began to lose confidence and progress slowed significantly. Following discussion with Person A it was agreed that I would solo onwards to confirm the route to the relative safety of Seniors Ridge. I did this successfully before downclimbing and leading the group upwards.

Around 20m from the top of the route we encountered an 'easy' 3m slab above a large grassy ledge. As I climbed this slab I slipped and slid around 2m onto the ledge, dislocating my left patellar in the process. This kneecap had dislocated in a trampolining accident (!) several years previously. Fortunately I was able to relocate the kneecap and a painful descent followed - including several abs down verglassed steps on Seniors Ridge and much hopping.

Lessons


The biggest lessons I have learned from this incident are to avoid complacency and over-confidence. Regarding complacency: the slab was easy ground, had a safe landing, and I had negotiated it safely twice before (in ascent and descent during my solo recce of the route). This meant I was over-confident and did not give the slab the attention and respect it deserved bearing in mind the conditions (iced up rock) and my physical state (cold, tired muscles due to our slow movement). I am now much more cautious when moving over iced up rock. I have also stopped soloing Grade 2 scrambles even in good conditions, preferring to move together with a partner.

Causes

Fall or slip, Unroped soloing, Adverse Weather

Anonymous?

No

Reported By

Participant

Wearing Helmets?

Yes

Rescue Services Involved?

Author

Louie Smith

12 May 2019 at 21:19:07

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. 

If you have a concern regarding this report please contact us at incidentreports@thebmc.co.uk

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