Eldorado canyon colorado

https://www.bouldercounty.org/news/one-climber-dies-and-another-sustains-serious-injuries-in-climbing-accident-at-eldorado-canyon-state-park/

That is horrible. RIP. 

From the article, they were starting P3 of Wind Ridge and both fell. Rocky Mountain Rescue was on scene in less than 30 minutes. RMR is amazing. The survivor is incredibly lucky. 

If you are not familiar with the area, Wind Ridge is a well known 5.7 route at Eldo and very popular as a weekday afternoon climb or a potential first route for outdoor beginners. 

They had no belay. They were just hanging out on the walk off ledge with no protection. Leader fell just past the big hueco thing and they were both ripped off the wall. They tumbled down to the first pitch anchor of Tagger where they wrapped up in the tree. Sorry, I would have wrote this last night, I was the ‘bystander’ in the article. Needed to decompress when I got home.

very sad 

Prayers for the survivor

Good job helping out Aubrey

Condolences

So sorry to hear of this.

alpinist 47 wrote:

very sad 

Prayers for the survivor

Good job helping out Austin

Condolences

Whoops, you mistyped a name. Aubrey*

Aubs, the community is so grateful for you. You’ve seen more in this lifetime than anyone should have to see, but what you’ve done to give back to the lives of the people who share a love for Eldo is lovingly appreciated. I love you, and I’m glad to know you’re a fixture in this community <3 

My heart goes out to all those involved.

Aubrey take care of yourself. I'm sorry you witnessed and were a part of that. Condolences

sorry for the " typo "

Thank you Aubrey and do take care

Aubrey, these events are horrific to watch and can take a long time to come back from. The Climbing Grief Fund has some amazing resources: https://americanalpineclub.org/grieffund.

I hope the magic of Eldo isn't tarnished for you, and my deepest condolences to the fallen climber's partner, friends, and family.

Aubrey Runyon wrote:

https://www.bouldercounty.org/news/one-climber-dies-and-another-sustains-serious-injuries-in-climbing-accident-at-eldorado-canyon-state-park/

Thank you for sharing, trauma therapy is your friend. 

Sorry this tragedy occurred :( Very sad news indeed.

Were they walking off or attempting 3rd pitch with flake/hueco without having slung the boulder or placed anchors somewhere else on that ledge?

Andres Fernandez wrote:

Were they walking off or attempting 3rd pitch with flake/hueco without having slung the boulder or placed anchors somewhere else on that ledge?

The second reply to the thread is a first-hand account from an eyewitness.

Such a tragedy. And a wake-up call. When I first heard about this I thought someone falling from that move would just land you on the ledge. While I usually have a piece in here because I'm belaying up my second, I've simul-climbed this route without placing a piece on this ledge. It seems like they would have put in a piece for the belay of the second pitch, though. I guess the ledge is so big and gear is sort of hard to find there (yes, the thread and other areas) that I guess they didn't bother. I never pass this ledge again without thinking of those guys.

Definitely hope the young guy survives and recovers. Frankly, it is amazing he was alive after that fall. That's one tough dude. 

Tragic and humbling. I climbed that route last fall. Thoughts and prayers to those involved and their friends/families.   

My condolences to the deceased's family and loved ones. It's really hard to find adequate protection on the walk-off ledge, but it sounds like the leader didn't place a piece and anchor in the belayer before heading up the third pitch. Am I reading this right? Very sad, and my thoughts are with everyone involved.  

Man, this sucks. Super sad. 

Sounds like a bolt anchor is in order. 

Take care Aubrey. Gosh. I can only imagine what you’re going through. Same to all the rescue and recovery team folks out there.

Jim Browsky wrote:

Sounds like a bolt anchor is in order. 

There is a huge Boulder that is easily slung right there...

Hope you're doing OK there, Aubrey. Some of us have been there, too. 

I am the surviving climber's girlfriend. I wanted to clear something up. They read the beta here and elsewhere and did what everyone does at that point on the climb by slinging the boulder. The sling slipped off without the belayer noticing so when the leader fell, so did the belayer. This was a devastating accident, and we are grateful to everyone involved in the rescue.