Seneca Rocks Accident 8/5

Does anyone know if someone is working on a write up of the accident that happened at Seneca over the weekend?

We heard the accident too. On Sunday, we spoke to a local guide with a dog who was about to go clean the route and check the anchors. I'd assume he's going to write up the guide after cleaning and inspecting the route.

This is the first mention I have heard of this accident. Very much hope it wasn’t serious. While awaiting a more complete report ( which may never appear or be circulated), it would be helpful if you shared what you do know about it.

There was a death on Saturday on the south end at the cave. The rope was severed during a lead fall and the person died on impact. 

I've heard there is a write up in the works so I'll leave the details for that to come out as we heard multiple different stories as we were waiting for the medical examiner to come out before we could carry the person out. 

Awful news. RIP to the unfortunate climber. The rock there is somewhat ‘blocky’ and sharp in places, so I can see how such an accident can happen. I lost a friend in such an accident on Ben Nevis 50 years ago, still painful!!!

My climbing partner and I were a part of the body recovery team as well. Such a tragic accident I can’t imagine what the family and friends of the victim are going though. 

I offer my sincere condolences to the climbers Family and Friends.

Sad deal.

RIP

The climber was a part of the central PA climbing community. Our community is not aware of the specifics at all as they were climbing with newer friends. 

Thinking of the climber and group. We were down the road and I know all in the area were shaken up. 

Would love to know if anyone from the PA community could share any more information on this. I have a lot of close friends from that community and would love to reach out to them if they were impacted by this incident.

The family requests that you share all of your favorite pictures, videos, stories, and memories of Danny to dannygerhartmemorial@gmail.com. Pictures will be used in a slideshow at his celebration of life.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to an endowed scholarship at Penn State in his name, to be given to a trumpet player in the Blue Band each year who exhibits the same character Danny did. He may not have been the best trumpet player, and he may not have had the best academic record, but he had the biggest heart and the most exuberant character 

https://secure.ddar.psu.edu/s/1218/2014/index.aspx?sid=1218&gid=1&pgid=658&cid=2321&dids=17552&bledit=1&appealcode=MZA1B

Another climber here from the recovery team. Very tragic incident. My thoughts and prayers are with Danny’s family and friends, as well as others affected by the accident.

He truly was the guy that you'd be proud to have as a son or son-in-law. Wonderful human, incredible family. He worked for us a couple of years, and last fall, his family welcomed us to tailgate w/ them at the Penn State-Ohio State game, even though we are Buckeye fans. Couldn't be a better bunch of people. Just heartbreaking. 

I was there to help with the recovery as well, and they took a drone up before pulling the rope down and took detailed video and pictures of the situation.  Appeared that there was a gear placement that needed to be extended and wasn’t, and from what people who were actually present during the accident said, he took an intentional fall on a solid piece he had placed, and as he did the rope cut on a sharp edge when it was weighted causing him to fall from a little bit above the ledge of the 2nd pitch.  Very very unfortunate. We also examined the rope and it was relatively new, still having the tape on both ends, & it was very clear to see from the way it looked that it was cut on an edge. It all was basically caused because of an issue with rope management we believe.  Hopefully a more detailed report comes out from someone more knowledgeable than me, and I hope his family can find peace eventually knowing he was doing something he absolutely loved! 

We were all at Seneca to Highline and climb and had a big group, Danny was hanging out with us the night prior around the camp and I didn’t know him well, but he was definitely loved amongst the people there.  We were on the start of the stair master approach when we heard it, & we were immediately called in to help since we were so close. It was very sad and scary, and I hope that this is the only time I ever have to deal with something like this in my climbing career.  We are going to do a memorial at Seneca soon when some of us go back!  Also the Nashville highlining/climbing community sends their thoughts and prayers to the family and close friends, & we plan to always live life to the fullest in remembrance of that day.  It could have happened to any of us and that’s the nature of this sport unfortunately.  

Matt Barryman wrote:

  Appeared that there was a gear placement that needed to be extended and wasn’t, 

the rope cut on a sharp edge when it was weighted causing him to fall from a little bit above the ledge of the 2nd pitch.  Very very unfortunate. We also examined the rope and it was relatively new, still having the tape on both ends, & it was very clear to see from the way it looked that it was cut on an edge. It all was basically caused because of an issue with rope management we believe.  Hopefully a more detailed report comes out from someone more knowledgeable than me,

Second responder and one of of the guides who cleaned the pitch the next morning here. 

You have some things wrong there. Please don't speculate with incomplete information.

Tradiban wrote:

What’s with the double fishermans there?

I believe that was an attempt at a barrel stopper knot in that strand. Tied after climber fell when belayer was rappelling down from the anchor.

Patrick Hoffman wrote:

Second responder and one of of the guides who cleaned the pitch the next morning here. 

You have some things wrong there. Please don't speculate with incomplete information.

Can you fill in the gaps?

Tradiban wrote:

Can you fill in the gaps?

I would rather not at this point.

There will be a detailed report, but I was only a small part and even though I'm confident in the reports and conclusion, some of the information came second hand to me.

I can tell you my part of the resuscitation attempt and my part of the recovery. But the rest I would be relying on my memory of what other people were told by other parties involved.

I didn't feel comfortable talking to the belayer but heard about their experience from someone who did talk to them.

This was really sad to read and hits home because that was a regulate place I used to climb at. To all the friends and family, you’ll be in my thoughts and wishing you my deepest condolences. 

Patrick Hoffman wrote:

I would rather not at this point.

There will be a detailed report, but I was only a small part and even though I'm confident in the reports and conclusion, some of the information came second hand to me.

I can tell you my part of the resuscitation attempt and my part of the recovery. But the rest I would be relying on my memory of what other people were told by other parties involved.

I didn't feel comfortable talking to the belayer but heard about their experience from someone who did talk to them.

Will you or someone who knows where the report will be released please post a link to it when it comes out.