VARIOUS FALLS ON ROCK, PROTECTION PULLING OUT

VARIOUS FALLS ON ROCK, PROTECTION PULLING OUT, INADEQUATE RELAYS New York, Mohonk Preserve, Shawangunks Twenty-three climbing accidents were reported in 1991, seven of which resulted in frac­ tures. In five cases, protection pulled out, and three accidents were due to belayers drop­ ping their seconds to the ground. The worst injury was a fractured and dislocated elbow, which resulted when a first-time leader fell ten feet on the top pitch of Rusty Trufel (5.3). One life-threatening situation occurred to a climber as he was walking up to the cliffs by Sleepy Hollow. He disturbed a swarm of feeding yellow jackets, was stung multiple times and went into full anaphylactic shock. He has a history of being allergic to bee stings, but even a non-allergic person may have suffered under such a severe attack. The climber recovered with no ill effects, but we are all to be reminded of the potential accidents which can occur if bees are encountered while climbing. (Source: Mohnonk Preserve)