RAPPEL FAILURE, INADEQUATE EQUIPMENT, NO HARD HAT ...
RAPPEL FAILURE, INADEQUATE EQUIPMENT, NO HARD HAT New M exico, Sandia Mountains Leo Sandoual (17) and Lloyd H riunak (18) were injured in a 60-foot fall from the practice cliffs on La Luz trail on A ugust 6. They were dem onstrating rappell
ing to friends, and were using separate ropes tied to one sling and anchor point. T he sling knot “slipped” as they went over the edge. (Source: Don M attox, Al buquerque M ountain Rescue Council) Analysis At times it is necessary to rappel using only one anchor point. Even then, the an chor point, though it may be a tree two feet in diam eter, is only as good as the means by which the rappel rope is secured. Two rappel ropes coming from the same anchor point is not unreasonable u n d er certain conditions, but using sepa rate slings is the m inim um which m ight have prevented at least one of these acci dents. T he type of knot used was not m entioned, but would be worth knowing. (Source: J. Williamson)
ing to friends, and were using separate ropes tied to one sling and anchor point. T he sling knot “slipped” as they went over the edge. (Source: Don M attox, Al buquerque M ountain Rescue Council) Analysis At times it is necessary to rappel using only one anchor point. Even then, the an chor point, though it may be a tree two feet in diam eter, is only as good as the means by which the rappel rope is secured. Two rappel ropes coming from the same anchor point is not unreasonable u n d er certain conditions, but using sepa rate slings is the m inim um which m ight have prevented at least one of these acci dents. T he type of knot used was not m entioned, but would be worth knowing. (Source: J. Williamson)
