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GUnks accident 11/15

Original Post
jdrago · · Rosendale, NY · Joined Apr 2013 · Points: 20

Anyone have any information on what happened yesterday? I work nearby and heard the helicopter. Hiker I had spoken to had apparently helped carry out the victim but he didnt know much except it was pretty bad.

rgold · · Poughkeepsie, NY · Joined Feb 2008 · Points: 526

A young woman died from a twenty foot fall from the start of Yellow Wall. She was leading and hadn't placed any gear at that point. There is a little more about it on Gunks.com

Happiegrrrl · · Gunks · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 60

Unfortunately, a fatality. A friend of the deceased has posted on Gunks.com at gunks.com/ubbthreads7/ubbth…

beensandbagged · · smallest state · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 0

RIP

Gail Blauer · · Gardiner, NY · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 1,051

She was an amazing climber. Condolences to her friends and family. A tragic loss.

doligo · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 269

What a terrible news. I'm so sorry for the loss. I hate delving on accident reports, but can't help to notice that this is a second fatality in recent weeks with a climber running out on an easy terrain. A good reminder for us all that shit happens to the best of us - if you've roped up and have gear, plug it in!

jonathan.lipkin · · Brooklyn, NY · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 70

Sad news

Tim Stich · · Colorado Springs, Colorado · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,520

Very sorry to hear this. The gunks posts say she had recently been in Denver, so those of you there may have even met her.

Gail Blauer · · Gardiner, NY · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 1,051
doligo wrote: A good reminder for us all that shit happens to the best of us - if you've roped up and have gear, plug it in!
So true!
Kevin Heckeler · · Las Vegas, NV · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 1,616
doligo wrote:What a terrible news. I'm so sorry for the loss. I hate delving on accident reports, but can't help to notice that this is a second fatality in recent weeks with a climber running out on an easy terrain. A good reminder for us all that shit happens to the best of us - if you've roped up and have gear, plug it in!
And it was cold out, I know my shoes don't stick as well in the cold (and I guess their foot slipped).
jdrago · · Rosendale, NY · Joined Apr 2013 · Points: 20

Oh wow. That is terrible news. Makes you think every time something like this happens. Stay safe everyone.

Michael Kim · · Van Life, USA · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 351

:( RIP

Colin Porter · · Stockholm, SE · Joined Sep 2014 · Points: 5
Kevin Heckeler wrote: And it was cold out, I know my shoes don't stick as well in the cold (and I guess their foot slipped).
I didn't think it was all that cold Saturday, surprisingly. The morning was chilly, but I consider the high 30's to low 40's "sending temps". The rock was actually quite warm considering the air temps, quite a perfect day with good friction on the rock. If anything can be taken away, it's to place protection early, even when it's "easy" terrain. RIP climber.
Paul H · · Pennsylvania · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 5

May she RIP

Lisa Andrews · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 10

So sorry to read this news. Rest in peace.

David Lottmann · · Conway, NH · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 152

Really sorry to hear of such a tragic loss. Thoughts and condolences for her family.

While MP's route description doesn't indicate the first pitch is run out it does seem to encourage it to make the most out of the route.

"The route was originally done in three pitches, but is best done as two, and if done in one, is absolutely amazing (as long as you're very careful about rope drag).

P1: Start up a right-facing corner, step around the corner to the left, and face climb up to a stance at a pin and horizontal. Belay here, or, if you were able to run it out to this point without gear, continue on. 60', traditionally rated 5.8 but I think it's more like 5.6."

If the route is very run out on the first pitch as Wonderwoman states perhaps the description could reflect that. Is it really 5.6 R/X or is it a choice to reduce rope drag when combining pitches?

And while a somewhat morbid question I would like to know if the deceased was wearing a helmet, though those of us who have climbed long enough know that in many cases wearing a helmet would not have made a difference, it is something I always find myself wondering when I hear of a fatality from a relatively small fall... having just lost a cousin to a 15mph ATV accident with no helmet I am always wondering about helmets these days...

Josh Squire · · East Boston, MA · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 66
AlpineStart78 wrote: While MP's route description doesn't indicate the first pitch is run out it does seem to encourage it to make the most out of the route. "The route was originally done in three pitches, but is best done as two, and if done in one, is absolutely amazing (as long as you're very careful about rope drag).
I did place gear but there are several places where you wouldn't want to fall, as the first pitch is not protected very well.

My thoughts go out to her family and friends.

Josh
Kevin Heckeler · · Las Vegas, NV · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 1,616
Colin Porter wrote: I didn't think it was all that cold Saturday, surprisingly. The morning was chilly, but I consider the high 30's to low 40's "sending temps". The rock was actually quite warm considering the air temps, quite a perfect day with good friction on the rock. If anything can be taken away, it's to place protection early, even when it's "easy" terrain. RIP climber.
Well, it could just be my head when it's cold. :p

It looks like most rubber actually works fine in colder temps. Good stuff:

climbandmore.com/climbing,5…
Trad Princess · · Not That Into Climbing · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 1,175

Very sad - appreciate every day, gang. It's a gift.

pforien · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 5

Extremely sad. My deepest condolences to her family and friends.

Chris Graham · · Bartlett, NH · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 545

So upsetting to hear this news. Thoughts and prayers for friends and family and hope Heidi is in a beautiful place surrounded by love and light.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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