No injured cavers recorded.
Paul Simmons, Ed LaRock and others were caving in the Guadalupe Mountains of New Mexico where they visited Cottonwood and Hidden Caves. At Hidden Cave they encountered four cavers, two male and two female. These four were doing the 50-foot entrance pit. One fellow apparently experienced as a rock climber rappelled in, followed by the two girls. The last fellow "stumbled around" for some ten minutes and managed to get the rope clipped through one brake bar of his rig. "With Gibbs hanging by slings from both arms, seat harness around his knees, one hand grasping the rope above the rappel gear and the other clutching his battery pack, he asked for a bottom belay" and made to rappel. Simmons and LaRock grabbed his seat harness and told him to at least fix that and to hold the rope below the rappel device. Rearranging things, he still only held the rope below the 'biner "with his little finger while still holding the battery pack. Simmons and LaRock convinced him not to descend. His companions had to be directed out of the cave by other cavers. They later explained that he had just drunk a pint of whiskey.
Obviously drinking and caving don't mix. Simmons and LaRock did well to turn off an accident in the process of occurring.
Cavers found unprepared group at entrance pit. Talked them out of continuing and coached them out. Caving in the Rockies 22(4) Jul79.
This record was last updated on 27th Apr 2024 at 23:11 UTC.