Original Post

SethG · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 291 May 27, 2014 · Unknown Hometown I heard a rumor that there was a rappel accident on Sunday in the Trapps, to the left of High E. Anyone have any info? Best wishes to anyone involved.

Gunkiemike · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 2,977 May 28, 2014 · Unknown Hometown A guy rapped a short distance off the end of his rope (Madame G rap or somewhere close to it) and broke his arm. Given the possibility of further injuries, he was given the full backboard/litter evac treatment.

CPlesh · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 25 May 28, 2014 · Rivervale, NJ Confirmed. My partner coordinated the rescue with 2 of our students and a ranger from the preserve. The poor guy decked - I was told 20ft, which probably means 10ft, and was just laying there with a mangled arm and possibly an injured back/leg. They saw him as they were walking by, saw no one giving him medical attention (partner was on the phone with 911 or the preserve I believe), asked if he was ok and started the assessment.

SethG · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 291 May 28, 2014 · Unknown Hometown Wow sounds like he is very lucky under the circumstances. Thank you for the information.

Mike Hancock · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 20 Jun 17, 2014 · Unknown Hometown I was topping out the third pitch of Madam G when this happened. My girlfriend was at the second belay and saw the fall. She thought he had died based on the scream, then crunch, then silence. She was unexpectedly not too psyched on the three repels we had to do moments later to descend.



I hope everyone takes this as a reminder to double check your safety systems. Knots in the ropes, prussik backup, or just repelling at a controlled rate could have prevented this accident.

Mike Hancock · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 20 Jun 17, 2014 · Unknown Hometown My understanding was the he either didn't see a rap station or he skipped it thinking he could make it. Neither of the two ends of his rope made the ground, and the only people near the base at the time were a guided group of beginners (so no one knew to tell him he wasn't going to make it). I don't know if he lost control or just wasn't watching the ends.