Bad SRT accident

[scotspine1]

Details below, the climber (Rachel) appears in the thread (7 posts in) to give her account the accident. Involved a hornet attack and a groundie cutting her line at the base anchor in a botched rescue attempt -

 

Women Arborist Injured at New York Botanical garden? | Tree Buzz

 

 

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[Mark Bolam]

She sounds like a tough girl, and a good one!

SRT rescue from a base-tie should be pretty easy.

Maybe we should cover it a lot more in here?

 

 

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[scotspine1]

the description of the botched rescue attempt from the ground with the 2nd climber cutting the line at the base tie off - sounds something like this?

[Mark Bolam]

I think you've got it Tim.

Should have worked in theory....

An alpine butterfly pre-tied in the line is quick and easy.

 

 

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[Fredward]

Yes thats what it sounds like. From what I read there was 2 issues, one being the friction hitch/wrench/tether set-up, and the second being the manner in which she was lowered.

[Madhatter]

I think a lot can be learned from this the lack of training an communication!!!

[Stephen Blair]

Terrifying!!!

Thanks for the diagram Scotspine.

[Tom D]

I have climbed using a floating anchor tied off as shown ant have always found it slightly uneasy knowing that my line is exposed at the base of the tree. I like her attitude, not bitter or suing her employer either.

[carlos]

sounds scary, glad she,s ok. not sure of the time frame on the events but sounds like the groundy acted pretty swiftly. one thing is would that hitch not release if it hit a branch on the way up?? could it be the anchor was not as strong as it should of been? i like the idea of the alpine butterfly above your base tie although i cant help thinking that a bulky knot could easily get stuck in a fork causing the casualty become badly stuck! i guess a mega long rope would be ideal.

all the best for your recovery.

carl

[Fredward]

sounds scary, glad she,s ok. not sure of the time frame on the events but sounds like the groundy acted pretty swiftly. one thing is would that hitch not release if it hit a branch on the way up?? could it be the anchor was not as strong as it should of been? i like the idea of the alpine butterfly above your base tie although i cant help thinking that a bulky knot could easily get stuck in a fork causing the casualty become badly stuck! i guess a mega long rope would be ideal.

all the best for your recovery.

carl

 

There are other options using not much gear for lowerable base anchors without attaching a seperate rope via friction hitch or knot.

 

 

Either a munter hitch on a biner or a figure 8, tied off with half hitches which can be released while under load.

 

Obviously it's useless if your ground staff don't know how to use it! The more prepared for an emergency you are, the less likely it is that one will occur! But stories like this are a reminder we need to educate ourselves, other staff and prepare!