California, Sierra Nevada, University Peak. On 29 May, Peter Young ...
California, Sierra Nevada, University Peak. On 29 M ay, P eter Young (30) and four com panions had successfully climbed U niversity Peak (13,632) and w ere descending the N o rth side of the N orthw est ridge. A t about the 11,500 foot level, deep soft snow was encountered. In order to avoid the snow , the group was traversing a snow-free scree slope when Peter Y oung apparently lost his balance. H e attem pted to regain control by taking a step down the slope, but the condition w orsened and a wild, tumbling fall ensued. D uring the course o f the fall he attem pted to arrest the fall by grabbing a 3 foot diam eter flake, but the rock pulled out. Young finally cam e to a stop face down in the snow field approxim ately 50 feet below the starting point of the fall and imm ediately rolled over on his back. T he rest of the group was slow in getting to Peter because of the extrem e looseness of the material on the slope which was angled about 50° from horizontal. H ow ever, treatm ent for shock and multiple abrasions about face and neck was begun within five minutes. Y oung was conscious, but very disoriented at first. H e com plained of severe pain in his upper left arm , but no broken bones could be found so the arm was merely immobi lized with an elastic bandage. P eter was able to walk with help and the party arrived at cam p about 7:30 p.m. w here further treatm ent was adm inistered. H e was evacuated the following day; partly by horse, and partly under his own pow er. Subsequent medical exam ination revealed no injuries other than those already treated. 15
Source: S. C. G ranger, Jr. Analysis: T he injured party was not w earing a hard hat, nor would a hard hat have prevented any of the injuries. H ow ever, Y oung should have had head injuries, so a hard hat would ordinarily have prevented damage. V ari ous cuts above and below Y oung’s right eye may have been caused by his sun glasses. T he accident was the second of this type that our climbing group has had this year and should serve to point out the extrem ely treacherous nature of scree slopes, especially on descents w here the group is tired and moving fast. Both falls w ere severe enough to have been fatal, and except for ex trem ely good fortune, would have been. All climbers should take note and exercise greater caution during the descent.
Source: S. C. G ranger, Jr. Analysis: T he injured party was not w earing a hard hat, nor would a hard hat have prevented any of the injuries. H ow ever, Y oung should have had head injuries, so a hard hat would ordinarily have prevented damage. V ari ous cuts above and below Y oung’s right eye may have been caused by his sun glasses. T he accident was the second of this type that our climbing group has had this year and should serve to point out the extrem ely treacherous nature of scree slopes, especially on descents w here the group is tired and moving fast. Both falls w ere severe enough to have been fatal, and except for ex trem ely good fortune, would have been. All climbers should take note and exercise greater caution during the descent.
