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Rapelling accident at Moore's Wall, NC

Original Post
Ryan Williams · · London (sort of) · Joined May 2009 · Points: 1,245

I've heard some rumours that a 19y/o was killed in a rapelling accident at Moore's Wall over the weekend. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this? I can't find any information online.

EDIT: This has been confirmed, as you can see down thread.

You will be missed Eric Metcalf. Condolences to the family.
thestokesnews.com/bookmark/…
youtu.be/ZvWn1-xTIWM

Steve86 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2011 · Points: 10

Edit:

This is an awful tragedy. My condolences.

Climbnc128 · · Winston-Salem, North Carolina · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 5

I was at moores sunday and didn't see or hear anything of that nature happening

EDIT: I was climbing with eric before this happened. It's so sad that this happened. Everyone please be safe outthere!

Canon · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2011 · Points: 0

Someone on Reddit said his brother was killed while climbing with four other people. Fell 250ft. No other details.

sanz · · Pisgah Forest, NC · Joined Nov 2011 · Points: 210

I heard something about this at the TRC today but can't confirm.

Erica Lineberry · · Charlotte, NC · Joined May 2009 · Points: 160

Unfortunately I believe that it is true. I was out at Moore's on Sunday as well but I think it happened after we left, which was around 5:00. A friend of mine works in the ER at that little hospital near moore's - one of my climbing partners got a text from her last night around 8:00 saying that she just got word that paramedics were bringing in a young man who had fallen at Moore's. She had known we were out there and wanted to make sure we were okay. She texted us again about 30 minutes later and said that he was pronounced dead on arrival. Apparently he had rapped off the ends of his rope, but she didn't know what section of the cliff.

That's all I know, and like I said, its all secondhand information. I'm sure more details will surface soon. It's been bothering me all day thinking about it.

sanz · · Pisgah Forest, NC · Joined Nov 2011 · Points: 210

So sorry to hear this. Both recent deaths in NC have happened the same way. I too would be interested in knowing the details if anyone has them and feels comfortable sharing.

William Rhyne · · Casper, Wyoming · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 135

this is a real tragedy. I feel for the climber's family and friends. he was a real strong guy. Much love to the family.

Joe Virtanen · · Charlotte, NC · Joined May 2010 · Points: 241

A terrible thing to happen to such a young climber.

Thanks for posting details Erica. Such a shame that it happened in a completely preventable manner.

gabemcg · · Phoenix, AZ · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 0
Joe Virtanen wrote:A terrible thing to happen to such a young climber.
Definitely, Joe. I climbed alongside him a bunch this year at the gym. Horribly sad and such a shock.
James Glover · · Boulder, CO · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 5

My condolences to family and friends.

thestokesnews.com/bookmark/…

CodyAllen Michael · · Raleigh,NC · Joined May 2012 · Points: 7

Good Guy. Very Sad.

NC Rock Climber · · The Oven, AKA Phoenix · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 60

Condolences to Eric's friends and family.

csproul · · Pittsboro...sort of, NC · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 330

Damn, saw him a lot in the UNC climbing gym. Super strong climber and seemed like a really nice guy.

William Rhyne · · Casper, Wyoming · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 135

does anyone have info on a service or anything?

Ryan Williams · · London (sort of) · Joined May 2009 · Points: 1,245

In the first article is states that the accident occured in the Sentinel Butress area and In the last article it states that he fell 270 feet. Unconfirmed but reliable source says that Eric clipped only one strand of the rapell rope(s).

I am struggling to come up with a scenario that would have him falling that far (top of Moore's to the ground) on any of the rap stations near the Sentinel Butress. I guess it's possible at a few stations but not likely.

Very sad today.

Eric Zschiesche · · Ogden, UT · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 896

Sometimes,... this journey we share with one another, ends too soon. Even though, I did not know Eric Metcalf personally,... a deep sadness rests upon my heart. To his family and friends, I extend my condolences. May the love and sorrow and strength you share,.. help you on this difficult trail.

Crag Dweller · · New York, NY · Joined Jul 2006 · Points: 125
Ryan Williams wrote:In the first article is states that the accident occured in the Sentinel Butress area and In the last article it states that he fell 270 feet. Unconfirmed but reliable source says that Eric clipped only one strand of the rapell rope(s). I am struggling to come up with a scenario that would have him falling that far (top of Moore's to the ground) on any of the rap stations near the Sentinel Butress. I guess it's possible at a few stations but not likely. Very sad today.
My condolences to the family and friends.

I know of similar accidents where the fall distance reported included the distance down the hill side next to the crag. I don't know this area. Is it possible that's the case here as well?
Ezra Ellis · · Hotlanta · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 0

If he fell from the top of sentinel butress it would be right at 200 feet especially if he slid down hill a bit it might approach 240 or 250 feet,

my sincere condolences to his friends and family.

Be careful out there y'all, ANY of us could make the same mistake,
-Ezra

Wensley Barker · · Cos Cob, CT · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 0

I don't post much but felt compelled to add my voice here. First, my most fervent condolences and prayers to all of Eric's family and friends. I am so very sorry for your loss.

I realize I am opening myself up to pushback but I think it bears repeating that we should always knot the ends of our rappel ropes. I know it is much discussed and well understood, but too many climbers who know better rap off the end of the rope. Climbers like me. I've been climbing for years, read Accidents in N. American Mountaineering, am aware that this is a common cause of accidents, and considered myself diligent about this. And yet a year and a half ago on a sport climb, I failed to knot my rope ends and took a fifty foot fall. I was injured, but I was very very lucky and recovered fully.

So what do I have to add to the discussion? I guess just this: I've learned that we are all susceptible to making mistakes, even ones about which we are very aware. I believe the best defense against human error is standardization. This is why as an aviator I and all my peers used checklists for tasks we did all the time. It's why we're taught to say "On belay/belay on/climbing" the first time we go out with a guide or take a lesson in a gym. One of the allures of a sport like climbing is that it is rarely standard. Things pop up, and we're forced to make quick decisions and improvise. There is always objective hazard. But adhering to a process on the routine stuff frees us up to focus on these things.

Sorry to go on about this in this forum, which should rightly be about honoring the loss of a fellow climber. I hope I've not offended anyone. But if I can convince anybody to please knot your ropes every time, and to confirm it visually and verbally with yourself and/or your partner, maybe it will mean one less such tragedy.

-Wen

David B · · Denver, CO · Joined Apr 2011 · Points: 205

There are few people I enjoy climbing with as much as Eric. He was really an inspirational person to be around and I still can't believe this has happened.

Please double check your setup, every time. It's easy for experienced climbers to become complacent.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Southern States
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