| Name | Age | Sex | Injuries | Injured areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halleck, John | Not recorded | Not recorded | Not recorded | Not recorded |
In the winter of 1979 a group of cavers visited Little Brush Creek Cave, at around 8,000 feet elevation in the Uinta Mountains of Utah. This time of year was preferred for the decreased water flow in the cave, but it was quite cold, with the cave water and air temperature around freezing and the outside temperature at 10 degrees F.
Not far inside, the group encountered a pool which one must bridge across. In crossing, John Halleck lost his holds and fell in, getting soaked. Emerging from the pool he removed and wrung out his clothes, which included wool thermal underwear. He then dressed and, against the advice of his companions, continued. Four hours later they reached the point where the survey was to begin. Halleck soon showed signs of hypothermia, including intense shivering and incoherence. They turned back and Halleck exited the cave under his own power. On the way, however, he occasionally had to be talked into continuing, as he succumbed to the desire to go to sleep. He rewarmed next to a car heater.
If a situation develops obvious safety deficiencies, leadership qualities must come forward and a command decision be made. In this case they should have aborted the trip when Halleck got wet.
John Halleck exhibited signs of hypothermia after getting wet in Little Brush Creek Cave but exited the cave safely.