This is all 2nd hand info from my roomate, but I talked about it with him a few times to get the basics straight. Serves as a warning either way.
The Place: My buddy came down the last rap in Pine Creek via the new watercourse rap. Another party was on the old rap (100 foot free hanger).
Incident: One of the guys started down the 100 footer as my buddies group was cleaning up their rap. About half way down his waist belt came undone and he flipped upside down. He kept his grip on the rope and managed to stay in his harness (just leg loops at this point) by bending his knees. He was not on belay up to this point. One of his party, after some hesitation, grabbed the rope to fireman belay. After a few minutes of panic, the guy continued his upside down rappel holding life-saving tension in his leg loops. A 3rd member of the party didn’t skip a beat and bravely filmed the entire event on his gopro.
Conclusion: He was wearing a Black Diamond climbing harness (basic style, not alpine bod) and did not double back his waist belt. It finally came undone mid-way down the last rap. Maybe he was lucky it was free hang and could bend his knees easily to stay in the leg loops? Maybe we will see video soon.
Canyonero
This commonly kills climbers. Half tied follow-through eights and half-done buckles work fine until you weight them….
I wonder how hard it would have been, with a fireman’s belay, to get upright and get the waist belt back on. I’ll have to try that while hanging some time. I think I would have been lowering a belay rope with a sling on it too if I were above. Good reason to make sure leg loops are tight anyway!
Rapterman
Opps!
It was her knot that was un-finished, not the harness buckle!
Rapterman
Well, if Lynn Hill can forget to double- back a harness buckle, maybe anyone can…
I no longer buy or use harnesses with double-pass style buckles.
Most manufacturers (including Black Diamond) have models with two piece “flap’ style buckles that will cinch when you pull on them.
It very hard to mis- thread this style of buckle.
Cameron
I did look at that person’s harness and made sure they clipped in. They also didn’t care for a fireman’s belay…..
But yes…I AGREE on the production of it. I mean every time you rap…your life is on the line….you gotta trust your harness, the biner, the device and the rope….and I want to make sure everything is okay.
Needless to say, I won’t be canyoning with those peeps anymore!
Deagol
well, if someone got it on video, that’s the important thing ……
Cameron
I was in a group one time…and I won’t name names….but I went to buddy check everyone and a person in the party looked at me and told me they had been rappelling for 16 years and didn’t need a check. So there are those.
ratagonia
It is usually possible to safety-check everyone without them knowing they are being safety-checked.
Brian in SLC
F that. Make a frickin’ production of it. Pull on their harness. Let ’em know you expect the same from them in return.
Anyone that has an issue with it can stay on the sidelines for all I care. Gotta be one of the easiest mistakes to both avoid and catch.
Kuenn
Meh, that’s okay…he probably had the merit badge. takes all kinds.
I probably don’t call for a safety check enough, but I sure wouldn’t turn one down. You keep on giving them, Cameron.
gajslk
Pride goeth before a fall …
Gordon
Kevin
Wow, scary! Why did a member of their party hesitate to give a fireman belay???
ratagonia
Everyone in that group was an expert, so why would they need a bottom belay???
Mike
Good question!
Also
Why was he not on fireman’s belay to begin with? Who checked this guy’s harness?
Brian in SLC
Whew! Double check yourself AND your partners! (Did so today again).
Easy to get distracted. Only takes one time. Glad he lived to learn. Bet they all learned!
Ram
YIKES!!!