Incident:Rappel Mishap in Muir Ravine (West) 2018/11/22

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Incident:Rappel Mishap in Muir Ravine (West) 2018/11/22
Date 2018/11/22
Location Muir Ravine (West)
Severity No loss
Canyoneering-related Yes
SAR involvement No
Navigation problem No
Environmental problem No
Communication problem No
Planning problem No
Skills problem No
Body movement problem No
Rigging problem Yes
Rappel problem Yes
Insufficient gear No
Gear failure No

Summary

Member rappelled off the end of double stranded rope.

Accounts

One member who rigged a 50 foot drop with a 135 foot rope doubled over, no block, rappelling double strand, rappelled off one rope end. Once one end went through his rappel device he fell about 10 feet landing on his backpack which had a loosely packed 200ft rope in it, saving him from any physical injury. Given that he has been canyoneering for over 25 years, and had already rigged several rappels in this canyon this very day double stranded, it just shows that one can never be too careful about rigging and always be wary of distraction and complacency.