Introduction to Rock Leader Rescue - Mountaineers Tacoma Program Center

Basic Mountaineers climbing students are taught to rescue a fallen rock-climbing leader by escaping the belaying and tying off the leader to an anchor… if the leader cannot be safely lowered to the belay. After tying off the leader, the belayer’s options are limited to calling for help (yelling, radio, cell phone, PLB) or going for help (or finding a satellite or phone signal) if they can do so safely. In the meantime, the fallen leader is suspended from the rope, which is a potentially dangerous situation if the leader is injured or if they are free hanging immobile and unsupported, a situation that can cause harness hang syndrome, a potentially fatal condition.

For safety and support, Mountaineers parties climb with two or more rock climbing teams. If one team sustains a leader fall resulting in injury or disability the second team is then available to assist in rescuing the fallen leader.

Tonight’s clinic focuses on team rescue. A rescue team can either respond to the accident from above the accident or from below the accident depending on where the two teams are on the climbing route. Tonight’s clinic addresses a scenario in which the rescue team responds to the accident scene from below the accident. A second clinic (TBA on the Tacoma Program Center Pylon) will address a scenario in which a rescue team responds from above the accident.

Great Hall, Tacoma Program Center, 6pm to 9pm

Pre-requisites: completion of the Tacoma Mountaineers Intermediate rock module