We are very sad to announce that a prominent member of the Squamish climbing community died Sunday after falling on lead while climbing on the Stawamus Chief.
According to local sources, the climber and his partner were on the last pitch of Parallel Passages when a perched block came loose, sending him on a substantial lead fall, hitting the terrain below and sustaining major injuries.
A two-party team climbing in the same area responded to the distress calls of his partner and rapped down to the location where the climber had fallen. They were able to help safely lower the climber to a lower ledge and provided CPR until Squamish Search and Rescue could reach the area.
A Squamish Search and Rescue helicopter and team was despatched immediately. Effort were also made to reach the team from the bottom by friends of the climber. Due to the overhanging nature of the area, SARS was unable to get a long line safely into the section of wall where the injured climber was situated and then insert an eight person rope rescue team on to Astro Ledge where they rapped down into the lower ledge to provide support to the fallen climber.
All efforts possible were made by Squamish Search and Rescue and the adjoining parties to save the climber but the injuries sustained in the fall were too substantial and he later died at the scene of the fall. A long line was eventually used to lift the climber out of the area.
Special thanks to those in the community who came to support the rescue efforts and to the Squamish Search and Rescue team, who tirelessly volunteer their time to saving those who have had the misfortune of accidents in our mountains.
Update:This article was updated to include that efforts were made to reach the team from the bottom by friends of the climber and that a long line was eventually used to lift the climber out of the area.
