Incident:Near Miss in Wellman Basin (Lower) 2026-05-03
| Incident:Near Miss in Wellman Basin (Lower) 2026-05-03 | |
|---|---|
| Date | 2026-05-03 |
| Location | Wellman Basin (Lower) |
| Severity | No loss |
| Canyoneering-related | Yes
|
| SAR involvement | No
|
| Navigation problem | No
|
| Swift water problem | Yes
|
| Environmental problem | No
|
| Communication problem | No
|
| Planning problem | No
|
| Skills problem | No
|
| Body movement problem | No
|
| Rigging problem | No
|
| Rappel problem | No
|
| Insufficient gear | No
|
| Gear failure | No
|
Summary
Group of four descended Wellman basin 3/4/26
Based off of beta/reports from previous descents and the nature of the canyon (highly vertical alpine canyon) the idea that hydraulics would be present in the canyon hadn’t factored into my thought process. We knew that we were running it at higher flow than it had previously been run, but most of the thoughts around that were centered around not rappelling directly in heavy flow, on rope dangers related to the flow, and specific hydraulics like siphons and strainers from debris being in the canyon.
I was first down on the two stage R1. Anchor manager does not have line of sight with rappeler at the bottom of the second pitch. I rappelled a line that landed me DCR on a wide angled ledge with a deep pool below.
Looking down briefly while on rope, I saw what looked to be a splashy pool of unknown depth, but did not look closely enough to recognize the hydraulic that was evident in retrospect. I rappelled directly into the pool, with a pack on. As soon as I was in the water I could feel a strong pull and was being dragged toward the falls. Luckily I still had the end of the rope in hand and was able to hand over hand enough to bring my body mostly out of the water and plant my feet on the rock which was also luckily very grippy. I was able to walk/sidestep along the wall and pendulum out and away the hydraulic and push off the wall into the outflow that was running DCC/DCL.
The end of the rope was held for all subsequent rappellers directing them away from the pool.
Cause analysis:
Heuristic trap, swiftwater/movement issue.
My hazard recognition was focused in on what I’ve typically experienced in similar canyons- being caught in flow on rope, strainers and siphons caused by debris, etc. We weren’t able to observe the pool from overhead and discuss it, but once we were down and in a safe spot, we observed a recirc being pulled back into the falls on the DCR side of the pool. An important lesson in assessing a situation as it is and not how you expect it to be.
If I had been pulled into the falls, the severity is somewhat of an unknown. The outflow was large and strong, and going into the hydraulic may have only resulted in a temporary flushing, but the depth of the pool and the possibility of debris that could have resulted in a snag is unknown.
Having a pack on would have also added to the danger if I had entered the hydraulic.
Based on this experience, when flow is this high, I think the right move would be to have first person go down without a pack, and then either scramble the rock DCR which is angled somewhat steeply but very grippy and avoid the pool altogether, or flat jump from the side into the outflow which is a relatively easy move. Subsequent rappellers could stop short and toss packs into the outflow for teammates to catch and then finish rappelling and either scramble or flat jump.
Another option for added safety would be to set a second rappel line and send a second person part way down to maintain line of sight and communication between rappeler and anchor manager. This would also stage someone to be prepared for a rescue.
Ziplining packs from the anchor station would be a very difficult if not impossible move with no line of sight and a long section of rock they would drag over and limited space at the bottom to work with.
Accounts
From the anchor manager:
My perspective : You did a "whoo!" after going out of sight, so I expected fun to be had. But as I watched the rope I noticed it doing weird stuff: twitching, slack-tight-slack. My Spidey sense felt something was off, so I stopped the conversation with my station companion, and opened the system ready to lower. I was considering if I should hand it over to my companion to hold, so I could rig the second rope and get a look over the side - when the 2 whistles came.
Even once I was down I still didn't properly perceive the risk and also wanted to jump in until you made it clear not to. I think from above the trough and peaks of the waves aren't as obvious as when stood to the side. It wasn't really until I observed the out-flow of the vertical recirc surfacing downstream that I realized something complex (and not just hectic) was happening.
As you mentioned, the hydraulics in this canyon are unexpectedly unique compared to its neighbors. Ashton next door, Asbestos & Jumbo Frog one peak over, all have the classic "shallow rocky pools" below the waterfalls. Whereas this had surprisingly deep and shaped pools.