Royal Columns Injury

[nzBound]

Does anyone have any information on this recent accident? News Link

 

Is everyone okay? What was the cause? Were they at the base or on the rock when the accident happend? Which route?

 

Be safe out there everyone.

[telemarker]

My guess would be this route with a huge, nearly detached chockstone 3/4 of the way up the crack, being held up by a wafer thin sliver of basalt. It's jut plain scary...

Edited May 13, 2014 by telemarker

[sws]

I missed seeing in by about 10 minutes and have heard second hand that both members in the party were struck by a 4x2 chunk of stone and both broke a femur and one had some head injuries. I had a buddy onsite that didn't know what climb it was on, but said that the rock was covered in chalk. I would be curious if someone knows the actual route they were on as there is not too much loose stone on the climbs.

[nzBound]

I took a trip there today after work. Obviously I was not there so this is only speculation, but it looks like it came off of "stress management" on the left side of the overhang.

 

Photo from mountain project:

 

Taken today:

 

[Drederek]

Well that certainly fits the description. Some of the stuff under the roofs there should see a bit more respect now. I wonder if the crack underneath and behind the block was visible, its been awhile since I was on that.

[eldiente]

Portland climber... He pulled the flake off, flake cut the rope and dropped him 20 feet to the ground. Climber broke a leg as did the belayer.

[nzBound]

Thanks for the info. Glad to hear that they only had a broken leg. Could have been much worse. Stay safe everyone.

[Crackman]

Congrats! Nice climb and report.