Canyoneering death in the Subway

[mtthwlw]

Anyone out ther have information about a possible death in the Subway?

[Slot Machine]

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/54...-zion.html.csp

Wow. Foot caught?

My condolences to all involved.

[MattLeonard]

We were there today, saw the body, and passed SAR on their way in. On the final rappell a guy used logs over a waterfall rather than the bolts. SAR told us his autoblock got caught in his descender, and he was stuck. He apparently tried to cut himself out of his harness, inverting himself in the process and got his legs stuck (on leg loops?) His partner was on the ground but unable to help so they went for help but couldn't figure out how to exit the canyon in the looming darkness. The partner contacted SAR this morning, and body recovery is happening tomorrow via long-line. Lots of parties passed the body today (us included) - pretty somber.

Unclear if the guy died from being inverted in his harness overnight, harness-induced pathology, or exposure from a cascading icy waterfall. He had a helmet, and he didn't appear close enough to a wall for trauma to be a factor.

I'm sure a more official incident report will be out soon - so lets try to hold judgement and speculation.

[oldno7]

Terribly sad

[Iceaxe]

Wow...

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[blueeyes]

Incredibly sad. My condolences to his family and others involved.

[Deathcricket]

We were there today, saw the body, and passed SAR on their way in. On the final rappell a guy used logs over a waterfall rather than the bolts. SAR told us his autoblock got caught in his descender, and he was stuck. He apparently tried to cut himself out of his harness, inverting himself in the process and got his legs stuck (on leg loops?) His partner was on the ground but unable to help so they went for help but couldn't figure out how to exit the canyon in the looming darkness. The partner contacted SAR this morning, and body recovery is happening tomorrow via long-line. Lots of parties passed the body today (us included) - pretty somber.

Unclear if the guy died from being inverted in his harness overnight, harness-induced pathology, or exposure from a cascading icy waterfall. He had a helmet, and he didn't appear close enough to a wall for trauma to be a factor.

I'm sure a more official incident report will be out soon - so lets try to hold judgement and speculation.

Good info, thanks for the post. I'm still trying to recover from the last time I saw a dead body. Course it was a buddie who blew his brains out, but I'm sure it was still traumatic seeing that for you too. Keep a close eye on yourself and if you start feeling crappy, get help. It sneaks up on ya.

[Mountaineer]

Tragic. My heart goes out to the family.

[Sandstone Addiction]

Tragic. My heart goes out to the family.

X2

[mtthwlw]

So very sad. Thank you for the information. I had heard only that it had happened. Prayers and condolences for the victim his partner and the families.

[Felicia]

Incredibly sad. My condolences to his family and others involved.

X2

:-(

[Iceaxe]

Man dies after spending night upside down in Zion Subway by McKenzie Romero

ZION NATIONAL PARK

[Bootboy]

That anchor wasnt there 2 weeks ago. I rigged that rappel off the logs 2 weeks ago. We placed a new log and put brand new webbing on it. I don't necessarily feel responsible but it hits close to home.
Damn.

[Iceaxe]

I was wondering who placed the new log.

I'm really curious why the guy couldn't get free. Also wonder why the partner didn't climb back to the top and help. Currently there is a log between the waterfall and the bolted anchors that allows easy access to the upper subway from the lower subway.

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[Bootboy]

That was my log. My friend and I dragged it from about 20' away a week after the big flash. It was a fun rap right next to the falls and we joked about how we were building a sucker anchor. Makes me sick to think about it...

[Sombeech]

Dang, anybody have a pic of this spot?

[Bootboy]

I wish I did. It's at the very last waterfall that most people bypass for the bolts 30 yards down canyon on the left. Right above all the bottom-up hikers. There is a big crack that runs perpendicular above the slot below and the waterfall come in from the canyon right side of the T. When rappelling, the waterfall is just a few feet away and you can put your feet in it or swing into it one you're a couple feet down the rope. Nice rap if you ask me

[Jolly Green]

I think adding the additional log above the existing log actually made it a little easier to get on rope relative to what it was before. With that being said, I can see how anyone unfamiliar with starting rappels at your feet could struggle and have the rope slip and get the autoblock caught. Unfortunately I suppose it also invites people who probably shouldn't be on a rappel like that to try it. Sad situation.

[Bootboy]

Canyons themselves invite people who shouldn't be there...

[blueeyes]

I was wondering who placed the new log.

I'm really curious why the guy couldn't get free. Also wonder why the partner didn't climb back to the top and help. Currently there is a log between the waterfall and the bolted anchors that allows easy access to the upper subway from the lower subway.

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That log is no longer there. I will post a picture later.