Rescue in Mendoza

Hey all,

I saw on the news that there was a rescue in Mendoza on Sunday. Thankfully it appeared the climber was retrieved safely. Any news on what happened? Best wishes to the injured person.

Bump...I climb there a lot and so am curious to learn what happened as well. Send me a message if you don't want to broadcast it all over the internet.

Saturday, a climber was leading the last pitch of an obscure 7 pitch traverse route on Table Dome in Mendoza. About 20' out from a stopper placement a hold broke and he took a pendulum fall, running across the wall fairly well in control. Just before he came to a stop the nut popped and he fell another 20' onto lower angle rock, caught by a draw on part of the belay anchor (1 bolt, 2 stoppers.)

The two lead ropes were joined and barely reached the ground (~390'). With the help of a team of 3 on a nearby route, including a "fireman's belay" from below, the 2 climbers rapped together to the ground just as the helicopter arrived for the hoist operation.

Initial concerns were for possible femur and foot fractures. He ended up with a sprained ankle and a deep puncture wound of the thigh and is healing well.

BTW, the rope did NOT fail, as one of the news reports stated.

Amazing teamwork by all involved.

Jeff

Nice to hear a great story and good outcome. Terrific job to all the people that helped.

Thanks for telling us what happened Jeff.

Everything that Geir said.

Way cool video, too! Glad the injuries weren't that horrid.