Jason4 Posted September 8, 2014 Posted September 8, 2014 I was up climbing at WaPass today and saw a SAR helicopter fly by the hairpin. Another party that was on SEWS today said that they talked to SAR members about helping a party on Spontaneity Arete last night and going back in today for more work. Quote
Lisa_D Posted September 8, 2014 Posted September 8, 2014 Scary! I climbed that last weekend and it seemed pretty safe, but the descent gully was definitely loose. Hope that all involved get back safely. Quote
whitnc66 Posted September 9, 2014 Posted September 9, 2014 Apparently it was a fatality but I don't know the details. Saw the chopper recover the body. Quote
mthorman Posted September 9, 2014 Posted September 9, 2014 So did the news get the location wrong or was there a fatality at Spontaneity Arete and Liberty Bell? http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20140908/NEWS03/140909256/Everett-climber-dies-in-fall-on-Liberty-Bell-Mountain Quote
Jason4 Posted September 9, 2014 Author Posted September 9, 2014 I suspect the news got it wrong. I was below Liberty Bell on the west side headed for SEWS when the chopper flew up the valley following Hwy 20 from the west, through the pass and then I could hear it somewhere on the other side of the hairpin. When I got to the ridge at the base of the South Arete I watched the helicopter fly south from the other side of the hairpin. Two other climbers at the ridge said that there plan was to climb Spontaneity Arete yesterday but they talked to SAR members either late Saturday or early Sunday and said something about someone rapp'ing off their rope and other party members needing rescue. I don't really have any more details than that but I know that the Blue Lake TH was really quiet when I was there at 8am and 4pm yesterday and I didn't see any commotion on the west side of the LB group. I was hoping to find out more info about what happened. Quote
denalidevo Posted September 9, 2014 Posted September 9, 2014 Knew the man. Condolences to his wife, heartbreaking news. Be safe out there. Quote
dberdinka Posted September 9, 2014 Posted September 9, 2014 Very sad. To many deaths this year. RIP. Was he a regular poster here? The name sounds familiar... Quote
Apdavids Posted September 9, 2014 Posted September 9, 2014 Knew Eric as well through the Everett Gym, Sad news and much condolences to his wife. Quote
telejosh Posted September 9, 2014 Posted September 9, 2014 Accident occured during the decent, while rapelling through the steps with the fixed lines. Initial reports suggest that the rope was not rigged at midpoint and one end pulled through the belay device during the rappel. A very sad event, and yet another reminder to be super diligent during even short raps. Quote
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