Ep 11 - A Snake Dike Tragedy - Jesse McGahey

the Sharp End Podcast

Sports

4.7 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 1 December 2016

⏱️ 26 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Around sunset on November 7, 2015, Angela Uys (26) was at an anchor partway up Snake Dike on Half Dome, preparing to rappel. Her tether system was not effectively clipped to the anchor, and when she weighted the system it failed. She fell approximately 500 feet to her death. In this episode, Ashley speaks with Yosemite climbing ranger Jesse McGahey, who responded to and investigated this tragedy, and the two discuss what went wrong and how similar accidents might be prevented. You can read Jesse's full report from Accidents in North American Climbing here: http://bit.ly/2gbz1Ba. Thanks to David Iliff (License: CC-BY-SA 3.0) for the beautiful photo of Half Dome's southwest face, where Snake Dike is found.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome back. I'm Ashley. Your host is for The Sharp End. A podcast brought to you by the American Alpine
0:16.8	Club.
0:17.8	Hey, it's snowing! It's time to dust off your skis and snow lords.
0:27.0	If you're looking for new gear this year, head to big ski sale.com
0:32.0	to hook yourself up with skis, boots, helmets, goggles or
0:35.9	out of wear for 50% off or more of the retail price.
0:42.0	Josh over at big ski sale.com has new 2016, 17 and gently used ski set-ups for
0:48.7	insanely cheap prices.
0:51.3	So don't shop anywhere else. Use coupon code, the sharp end, for another 10% off of that
0:58.2	already amazing deal. Around sunset on November 7th 2015, Angela Hughes 26 was at an anchor on
1:11.8	Snake Dyke, grade 357, preparing to repel off of Yosemite Valley's
1:17.0	half dome.
1:18.6	Her tether system was not effectively clipped to the anchor, and when she waited the system it failed.
1:25.0	She fell approximately 500 feet to her death.
1:30.0	At 9 that morning, Angela Mason and Samantha started up the mist trail towards Snake Dyke.
1:37.0	They were behind schedule because Angela had not arrived at their campsite in Yosemite Valley until 3 a.m.
1:42.0	Due to commitments in San Francisco.
1:44.7	When they reached the base of the route around 1130 a.m. another party of 3 was
1:49.8	climbing the first pitch. At 1 p.m. after waiting an hour and a half for the other party to clear,
1:56.0	Mason began to lead the first pitch.
1:58.0	Today I have the privilege to chat with a ranger from Yosemite National Park. This man was the death investigator of this particular real incident.
2:09.0	Welcome to the show, Jesse. Will you go ahead and tell us a little bit about yourself?
	...

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