Rock Climbing Accident in Washington's North Cascades Mountains
A rock climber survived a fall that killed his three companions in Washington's North Cascades mountains by hiking to his car and driving to a pay phone for help. The climbers fell when the anchor securing their ropes was torn from the rock while descending a popular climbing location, resulting in a tragic accident.
Key Points
- Surviving climber Anton Tselykh extricated himself from the fall, hiked to a pay phone, and called for help after his companions were killed in the accident.
- The climbers fell when the anchor securing their ropes was torn from the rock while descending the Early Winters Spires in the North Cascade Range.
- Pitons, metal spikes used as anchors by climbers, were found to be a key element in the investigation of the accident.