| Name | Age | Sex | Injuries | Injured areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shimmin, John | 22 | Male | Not recorded | Not recorded |
On 7 March two moderately experienced cavers from California, John Shimmin and Don MacKenzie (both 22) visited Cassell's Pit. At about 5 p.m. Shimmin rappelled into the 96 foot entrance pit despite an abnormally large waterfall in the pit due to recent wet weather. MacKenzie did not descend.
When Shimmin attempted to prusik-climb out of the pit, he was driven back by the deluge of very cold water descending upon him. For hours thereafter Shimmin and MacKenzie communicated by notes lowered into the pit. At one point MacKenzie lowered a small gasoline stove to Shimmin. For some reason MacKenzie did not go for assistance.
At about noon the following day, a party of four cavers, including Mike Balister who has often been involved in cave rescues in the area, arrived at the cave and found MacKenzie still waiting. When told of the situation. they lowered a dry-suit to Shimmin and instructed him to put it on and tie himself to the end of the rope. They then pulled him out of the pit. He was not injured.
Source: Mike Balister
Analysis: (Balister) Shimmin used poor judgment in descending the pit under the very wet conditions present. In any event, a ladder would have been the only way to
get out of the pit at that time.
Neither had obtained permission to enter the cave. If MacKenzie had also descended, a rescue might have been long delayed since they probably did not know the cave well enough to find the Windy entrance. If there had been no one at the top, our party might have concluded that an experienced group had entered
the pit and were proceeding out another entrance.
Although they were in fact not injured, MacKenzie should have sought assistance as soon as it was clear that Shimmin could not ascend on his own.
This record was last updated on 27th Apr 2024 at 23:11 UTC.