March 9, 2020. AMC Hermit Lake Caretaker reported seeing a person falling end-over-end “tomahawking” the length of Chute in Tuckerman Ravine around noon. The Caretaker and Snow Ranger responding were pleased to find that the patient had no apparent injuries. The skier walked downhill to Hermit Lake and was assisted to the road by snow machine.

It was reported at the time of the fall, the skier was still climbing up somewhere near the top of Chute, wearing leather boots with micro-spikes and no ice tool. He had ski boots and skis on a back pack. The snow was still firm, barely softened by the sun.

Safe climbing of steep snow, especially hard snow requires the skilled use of stiff boots, crampons and an ice axe or two to prevent a fall from occurring. When climbing without the protection of a rope belay, preventing a fall from happening is a climber’s/skier’s primary means of safety since arresting a fall with an ice axe is difficult with, and impossible without.

Video here: https://www.instagram.com/p/B9j0hA-HtDA/?igshid=15m8w2rcfwucf