RMNP CO: Dreamweaver Couloir rockfall/avalanche fatality - 29 May 2022

[andy m]

Here's the preliminary report from CAIC:
https://avalanche.state.co.us/caic/a...=822&accfm=rep

There was also a close call nearby on the north face of Longs Peak (aka the Cable Route) just a few days before:
https://avalanche.state.co.us/caic/o...p?obs_id=71834

[summit]

I'm confused because it says: 2 caught, 1 injured, 1 killed
Yet the narrative explains: 1 immediate/delayed male patient ANG->HEMS->MCR, 1 minor female ANG->TH refusal, 1 expectant male patient located by Recco.

[doebedoe]

3 total individuals.

1 mild injury.
1 major.
1 killed.

Does seem "Summary Description: 3 climbers caught, 1 seriously injured, 1 killed" and Numbers don't quite line up. Probably will be cleaned up with final report. Given this happened in the Park, I expect they're leading the investigation rather than CAIC and my understanding is that there are some complicating factors to getting it done quick.

Super tragic. Unlucky. Rockfall is hard to forecast.

[andy m]

We still don't know how much of a factor rockfall might have actually been in this incident, but, regardless, rockfall on alpine routes like Dreamweaver (which I've climbed, along with countless other alpine routes) is more likely after significant precipitation and lack of good freezes -- both of which occurred for several days preceding the tragic incident. And, of course, those same conditions (new snowfall and lack of good freezes) also increase the likelihood of avalanches on steep routes like this.

[doebedoe]

Rockfall was a significant contributor to the events.

[MakersTeleMark]

It was the factor. Objective hazards are always in play.