by Tim White » Oct 26, 2006 9:48 am
It is with a heavy heart that I read the reports on very sad news that renowned rock climber Todd Skinner died after he and Jim Hewett had completed a new free route on the "Leaning Tower" in Yosemite.
But I fear that many a caver may be in the same danger that Todd faced. The willingness to use gear beyond when it should be retired from service.
News reports state:
The part that broke, called the belay loop, is designed to be the strongest part of the climbing harness, but Hewett, 34, said Skinner's harness was old.
"It was actually very worn," Hewett said. "I'd noted it a few days before, and he was aware it was something to be concerned about." Friends of Skinner said he had ordered several new harnesses but they hadn't yet arrived in the mail.
On Monday's climb, Hewitt said the belay loop snapped while Skinner was hanging in midair underneath an overhanging ledge.
"I knew exactly what had happened right when it happened," he said. "It was just disbelief. It was too surreal."
Stunned and in shock after watching his friend fall, he checked his equipment.
and another:
Investigators, friends seek answers in climber's fatal fall
By GARANCE BURKE
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
SAN FRANCISCO -- A friend who's scaled peaks with renowned rock climber Todd Skinner says he sometimes used gear beyond its life span, and fears a frayed climbing harness strap may have snapped, causing him to plunge to his death in Yosemite National Park.
It will take authorities days - possibly weeks - to officially determine why Skinner, 47, fell 500 feet to his death Monday while attempting to pioneer a new route up "Leaning Tower," an imposing rock face near Bridalveil Fall, the famous waterfall near the entrance to Yosemite Valley.
As Skinner lowered himself down the rock wall, a nylon loop attaching his harness to the rope broke, and he fell, hitting the side of the mountain, said his close friend Paul Piana, who received an emotional call from Skinner's climbing partner, Jim Hewitt, on Monday afternoon.
"Jim told me it was some equipment that was too worn, which makes it really tragic," Piana said. "Todd and I have contributed to the design and tested a lot of equipment, so we have a lot of faith in its durability. Sometimes maybe because of that, you become a little too complacent."
PLEASE...check you equipment and replace it if there is any doubt. The small price to pay for a new piece of gear is not worth the loss.
My prayers to Jim, the Skinner family and friends.
Last edited by
Tim White on Oct 27, 2006 10:18 am, edited 1 time in total.
Be safe,
Tim White 26949 RL FE
Southeastern Region Coordinator - NCRC
Editor, Nylon Highway
Senior Technical Manager - Over the Edge, Inc.