GUYE PEAK ACCIDENT

[JERRY_SANCHEZ]

WHY DOES THIS PEAK HAS SO MANY ACCIDENTS???

CHECK THE REPORT BELOW:

Climber killed in fall near Snoqualmie Pass

10/14/2001

Reported by Roberta Romero

NORTH BEND - A 49-year-old Tacoma man is dead after falling more than 500 feet down a cliff at Guye Peak just north of Snoqualmie Pass.

The man - whose name has not yet been released - was an experienced hiker. He and a fellow climber made it to the top of Guye Peak Saturday afternoon.

They used ropes and stayed together as they worked their way up the cliff, then the man fell.

“It’s pretty common that once you finish the technical portion of your climb you let your guard down a little bit, you relax a little bit, you’re not quite as leery of what’s going on and that’s when accidents happen, and apparently that’s what happened here,” said King County Sheriff’s Deputy Zbig Kasprzyk.

Observers at the base of the cliff say weather could have been a factor. It had snowed and was raining around the time of the fall.

“The mountain peaks were snowy, wind was blowing, and it was raining. I wouldn’t have been up there,” said witness J.B. Stempak.

A search and rescue team recovered the victim’s body late Sunday afternoon

 

[Dru]

This is the 3rd separate post about the same thing today, JERRY!!!!!

[mattp]

I believe the answer to Jerry's questions lies in the following three factors:

1. The peak is highly viewable and very dramatic, so it attracts a lot of notice.

2. The peak is technically easy and stands right above a highway exit, so just about anybody can get there.

3. Like many mountains, it is dangerous. It has loose rock, steep cliffs, mossy rock, etc. In fact, it is probably more dangerous than just about any Cascade peak that is as easy to climb as it is.

Factors 1 and 2 lure many climbers who are not ready for factor 3.

[robertm]

The improbable traverse route on the peak is pretty cool and and the rock is amazingly solid. The middle two pitches are the best for any climb in the area and have great exposure (both 5.8).

[freak]

was the dude who fell on that route?? nic

[robertm]

I doubt it... it sounds like they were descending and came down in the waterfall/cliff area between Guye Saddle and the West face of Guye peak proper. That area is littered with rappel slings from those that have made the same mistake. It is class 3 steep downclimbing with some class 4 steps which are marginal when dry but slicker than shit when wet. When descending you need to keep going towards Snoqualmie peak until you pick up the trail. Do not be tempted to head towards alpental too early.

[freak]

ouch

[Pencil_Pusher]

robertm,

that's some good info folks can use for the descent. of the accident, it sucks the dude died. such is the life of this sport.

i don't keep up with the news, but isn't this the second climbing guy to die up there over the past few months (the other guy on Chair)?