Evacuation of Injured Climber
June 13, 2008
East Buttress, Middle Cathedral Rock
YOSAR received an early morning report from a Yosemite Mountain School climbing guide, Scott Brown, that a climber from another party had fallen while attempting to link the first two pitches of the East Buttress route on Middle Cathedral Rock. Brown was able to lower the injured climber back to the start of the route. The injured party had sustained a serious ankle injury and was unable to evacuate himself.
A technical rescue team of twelve was assembled and the climber was lowered down the ascent gully. Multiple low angle belays were required to safety negotiate the unstable terrain. The injured climber stated that he had taken a leader fall due to excessive rope drag while he was mid way through the second pitch. The subject estimated his fall to be approximately 8 feet before his leg struck a ledge, which resulted in a tri-malleolar fracture (a brake in three places in the ankle). An expanded report with full analysis will follow.
Source: Jacob Noland, David Pope
The twelve person rescue team climbs through the lower portion of the ascent route. Photo by David Pope.
The litter team enters the main gully of the ascent route.
Photo David Pope.
Litter team prepares to be attached to the last of four
low angle belays. Photo by Stephanie Hance.