Pingora fatalities

Ryan,

It might be worth sending those photos to the Sheriff's department that is investigating the accident. If you packed out the sling, it would be worth sending it to them. It is either the Fremont or Sublette county sheriff's office.

-Craig

Ya I agree with Craig here... Ryan, you need to get those photos over to the sheriffs office asap.

Still nothing official yet but found this...

dailyranger.com/story.php?s…

Jonathan MacDonald's wife here....

As far as anyone has been able to tell (NOLS/Search and Rescue/Coroner, the men were not feeling confident enough to finish the climb. It was about 1-2pm, and they decided they needed to go back down. When they were rappelling the rope seemed to have gotten stuck and Jon went up to get it unstuck. Sometime while either going up to get the rope or right after he got the rope unstuck he fell. The amount of slack in the rope made his fall greater than normal, causing that much more weight on the rope and anchors. All of the ropes and webbing were intact. The cause has been put to safety anchor failure. The rock came away from the face and then men both fell. The fall was from 150-300 feet. I may not be accurate in all my wording (Jon was a much better climber than I am), but the men were very good climbers and this was supposed to be an exhilarating, yet easy climb. The few pictures we have of the ascent shows some bloody arms and hands from earlier in the climb. It is possible earlier falls had made it too tiring or difficult to finish the climb.

These were both amazing men, fathers, husbands, and climbers. They both loved teaching others to climb (Jon taught me). They were not dare devils and were safe climbers. Jon would be the first to tell someone if they were making a stupid mistake climbing and help to correct it.

If anyone finds a Saint charm (as in Catholic saint) near the base or on the face, Keith's family would really like it. You can message me to get it to them.

Please be safe! Don't take climbing lightly. Believe me, you have a really shitty 20 seconds as you fall, but we have to pick up the pieces and raise the children alone and somehow teach our children the same thing that killed you, because you loved it so much.

Wendy MacDonald wrote:Jonathan MacDonald's wife here.... As far as anyone has been able to tell (NOLS/Search and Rescue/Coroner, the men were not feeling confident enough to finish the climb. It was about 1-2pm, and they decided they needed to go back down. When they were rappelling the rope seemed to have gotten stuck and Jon went up to get it unstuck. Sometime while either going up to get the rope or right after he got the rope unstuck he fell. The amount of slack in the rope made his fall greater than normal, causing that much more weight on the rope and anchors. All of the ropes and webbing were intact. The cause has been put to safety anchor failure. The rock came away from the face and then men both fell. The fall was from 150-300 feet. I may not be accurate in all my wording (Jon was a much better climber than I am), but the men were very good climbers and this was supposed to be an exhilarating, yet easy climb. The few pictures we have of the ascent shows some bloody arms and hands from earlier in the climb. It is possible earlier falls had made it too tiring or difficult to finish the climb. These were both amazing men, fathers, husbands, and climbers. They both loved teaching others to climb (Jon taught me). They were not dare devils and were safe climbers. Jon would be the first to tell someone if they were making a stupid mistake climbing and help to correct it. If anyone finds a Saint charm (as in Catholic saint) near the base or on the face, Keith's family would really like it. You can message me to get it to them. Please be safe! Don't take climbing lightly. Believe me, you have a really shitty 20 seconds as you fall, but we have to pick up the pieces and raise the children alone and somehow teach our children the same thing that killed you, because you loved it so much.

Wendy - Very sorry to hear about the tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

Wendy may God bless you, your family and Keith's family for all the days of your lives. May the sharp sense of loss of Jonathan and Keith soon wan and what I am sure are wonderful memories of them both wax warmly with time. My prayers and I'm sure those of many others are with you all.

This is really so awful. Be careful gang.

Wendy MacDonald: Don't take climbing lightly. Believe me, you have a really shitty 20 seconds as you fall, but we have to pick up the pieces and raise the children alone and somehow teach our children the same thing that killed you, because you loved it so much.

^^^^ Could not have been expressed better, Wendy.

That was a very courageous post Wendy - my deepest sympathy to you and both families.

Whymper said it best:

“Climb if you will, but remember that courage and strength are nought without prudence, and that a momentary negligence may destroy the happiness of a lifetime. Do nothing in haste; look well to each step; and from the beginning think what may be the end.”

So sorry for your loss Wendy - to everyone else, take heed and be careful out there. We are all just one misstep away...

Oh man Wendy, we are all devastated for your loss.