Injured Climber Medevaced To Area Hospital

Earlier this week NPS Digest reported that rangers at New River Gorge National River responded to a call reporting that a climber had fallen at the popular Endless Wall climbing area on Monday afternoon.

The accident occurred on a wall known as Star Trek, located along Fern Buttress near Fern Creek. The area is popular with novice climbers and has several established routes rated between 5.6 and 5.11.

The climber, who was from Vienna, West Virginia, rappelled off the end of his rope and fell about 35 feet, sustaining lower limb and back injuries in the fall.

Rangers and personnel from Fayette County Rope Rescue, Fayetteville Fire Department, Ansted Fire Department, General Ambulance, and Health Net Air Ambulance responded to assist in the mile-plus carryout over rough terrain. The injured climber was then medevaced by Health Net to the Charleston Area Medical Center.

The incident is under investigation by the NPS. The climber is expected to make a full recovery.


Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies