I'm going to add to Bob's comment about Class 2/3 and loose talus. Last Saturday I was on the Third Pillar of Dana. Luckily escaped out of there unharmed after getting trapped by a lightning storm high on the face.
What almost did me in was a simple walk down a talus slope in the dark. The recent rain must have loosened everything and the human sized slab of rock I stepped on gave way and I slid right along with it. A good chunk of the hillside came down with me for I'm guessing 40-50 ft. My ENTIRE right thigh is now black and blue, in addition to having multiple gashes all over from the pebbles, rocks, and boulders crashing around me.
It is only through luck that the bigger boulders didn't land or roll over me. It was night time when we got off the Third Pillar and I kept my climbing helmet on for warmth. I felt two whacks on my helmet and I now own a mangled helmet, but I least I don't have two large holes in my head. I could have easily ended up just like this woman.
5.10b climb, no problem. Scree slope, almost the death of me. Give some of those large boulders and rocks their due. Mt. Agassiz comes to mind.
I will of course continue to do what I love to do and wouldn't expect differently from anyone else. Just adding another story not to take some of the "easy" stuff lightly and keep your wits about you.
Speaking of Secor, he was a prolific climber doing many awesome technical ascents in the Sierra and was done in by a "simple" glissade on Baldy. Happy and safe hiking and climbing everyone.
Last edited by 2600fromatari; 08/10/15 10:08 PM.
