FALL ON ROCK, PROTECTION PULLED OUT California, Yosemite ...

FALL ON ROCK, PROTECTION PULLED OUT California, Yosemite National Park O n S e p te m b e r 7, 1991, John M edlock (28) was lead clim bing th e N u tcra ck er ro u te on M an u re Pile B uttress an d was ab o u t 120 feet o ff th e g ro u n d going aro u n d a large rock h o rn w h en h e fell. F o r pro tectio n , M edlock h ad placed a sling aro u n d a tre e below , a sto p p e r p ro tec tio n chock, a C am elot cam m ing device and th re e m ore sto p p ers above th a t as h e b eg a n to clim b a ro u n d th e h o rn . W h e n h e fell, th e s to p p e rs above th e C am elo t and th e sto p p e r below all p u lle d o u t o f th e crack. M edlock fell ab o u t 40 feet dow n th e cliff face b efo re th e C am elot h eld his fall. M edlock h it on a sm all ledge as th e ro p e caught his fall, landing on his right foot severely in ju rin g his ankle. M edlock also su stained num ero u s abrasions on his hands, right arm an d b o th legs. M edlock was able to reach a tre e n earby for stabilization, th e n was assisted by sev­ eral o th e r clim bers. M edlock was low ered by rope ab o u t 40 fee t to a large ledge locat­ e d 40 fe e t above th e b ase o f th e cliff w h ere th e ran g ers c o n ta c te d h im u p o n th e ir arrival at th e scene. M edlock was diagnosed at Yosemite M edical Clinic as having a closed fracture and dis­ location o f the right ankle. (Source: R. Scott Bowen, Park Ranger, Yosemite National Park)