On October 26th 2006 Todd Skinner 47, died while rappelling down a section of the leaning tower in Yosemite Valley. Todd Skinner was the pioneer of free climbing, a method of climbing where ropes and other equipment is used only as backup in case of an accident. He and his climbing partner Jim Hewitt were working on the first free climb of a route called “Jesus Built My Hotrod.” Skinner was rappelling down the rock when his belay loop broke and he plunged more than 500 feet to his death. Skinners partner, Hewitt, said he knew immediately what had happened. He checked his own equipment before lowering himself and going to notify the authorities.
According to Rock Climbing for Life there are three things that can usually be blamed for rock climbing accidents. They are overconfidence, carelessness, and bad luck. While Skinner’s luck was obviously not good this was not the contributing factor in his death.
This was a senseless death that could have easily been avoided. Hewitt says that he had noticed Skinner’s belay loop was worn. Skinner himself was aware it was something to be concerned about. He had ordered new belay loops but they had not yet arrived. He decided to take the risk and climb anyway. It was pure carelessness on the part of Skinner and it cost him his life.
I believe that while his experience should have caused him to know better than using questionable equipment it may a have had an opposite effect. I believe he became overconfident in his skills and the safety of his equipment. I believe that a newer climber, who does not have that comfort level, would be less likely to climb with equipment that was obviously worn. http://www.huecotanks.com/ToddSkinnerDies.html http://www.rock-climbing-for-life.com/rock-climbing-accidents.html#INV