Date of Event: 12/6/2007
Canyon involved: Claustral Canyon
Region: Blue Mountains
Country: Australia
Submitted by: Tim Vollmer
Source: Australian Accident Register
Injury: Fatality
Cause: Use of inappropriate fixed handline for downclimb, Higher than normal water flow / use of fixed handline in water flow
Description of Event: On Thursday 6th December Ian Knapp, a 61 year old Sydney man with ten years canyoning experience, died in Claustral Canyon. The victim and another experienced canyoner in the group had completed this section of the canyon without major incident at least ten times previously. On this trip the victim was with three others when he got into trouble on the final technical obstacle before the exit track; a rock that blocks the canyon that is usually descended with the aid of a hand line.
At this point there are two options for descent; either down the groove on the left (facing downstream) that usually has water flowing down it, or alternatively on the right which is usually free of water. Both options have been known to have a fixed rope in place and there is a log anchor on the right (often with slings around it) that would allow descent by staying out of the main flow of water. It is also possible to drop off the centre of the rock into a pool of water although care must be taken to avoid a large rock that is often just under the water. A number of people have been injured here after hitting the rock. In low water the left groove is an easy scramble that for most becomes a safe slide into the water as it becomes hard to hold the handline.
The group arrived at the rock that blocks the canyon at about 2pm. The other three in the group descended the open V-shaped groove on the left, using the fixed, knotted rope as a hand line and waited at the bottom. When the man started to descend he stepped into the groove about 1.5m further back than where his companions entered the groove. He sat down (facing downstream) in the water, looking as though he was going to slide forward down the groove in the running water. He was holding the hand line. Those watching from the bottom saw him sit down, then wriggle and move to try and slide forward but he seemed to be stuck and couldn’t move. The main flow of water was pushing on his back. After a few minutes of struggling unsuccessfully to move he slumped forward and the water flowed over him. The cause of death is not yet known.
One of the group managed to climb back up but was unable to free the man. He then dropped a rope down and the other two in the group prusiked up to help. They set up a hauling rig with a 4:1 mechanical advantage to try and free the man and although they could lift him a small amount they were unable to free him.
Later efforts by police rescue officers to recover the body took considerable time to free the man from where he had become severely wedged in the groove.
Due to poor weather it was not until Sunday that the man’s body was evacuated by helicopter.
Water level:
The water level at the time of this accident was higher than what’s been regarded as normal in the past decade or so yet would probably not be regarded as extreme by most Blue Mountains canyoners. By way of an indicator of relative water flow the water flowing through the keyhole abseil in Claustral was about 15cm deep. One of the survivors of the group commented that he and the victim had previously negotiated the same obstacle in higher water conditions without
incident. The weather at the time was fine and there had been no rain that day.
Comments from the group:
The survivors, some of whom have 15 years canyoning experience, comment that ropes should not be left fixed in places where their use in high water might lead others into the moving water and potential danger. Fixed equipment tends to give the impression that “this is the way”. The survivors request that fixed rope should be removed if found in this groove. There is a safe high water alternative on the other side of the canyon (on the true right).
One of the canyoners in this group with extensive experience of canyons in Europe commented that in Europe where they often experience very high water flows in canyons they never use fixed scramble lines that take you into the main stream of water.
Analysis: Most Blue Mountains canyon descents are completed in very low water flow conditions and consequently many canyoners do not have an awareness of swift water factors. When water flows are above “normal” canyoners should show extreme caution. Moving water often looks harmless and un-spectacular yet can still have enough force to trap a canyoner or carry them into danger. This was the second fatality due to moving water in Blue Mountains canyons in a three year period.
ICAD Analysis:
Water poses serious hazards, even when it does not appear to be particularly dangerous. In combination with a canyon environment, where rocks and other obstacles can be unseen, or water flows can be much higher, this risk is greatly amplified. Water flow combined with an obstacle can shift bodies in unexpected ways or cause entrapment and drowning. Putting a back or a pack or even a foot into water flow dramatically increases the surface area, and therefore force, exerted, and can do so with catastrophic consequences. Because even simple positions or incidents like a small slip can cause serious injury or death, canyoneers need to be especially mindful to work as a team and constantly look out for each other; never separating too far from the rest of the group or being in a position where you are alone without assistance. On rappels, it is not a bad idea to have someone at the top and someone at the bottom at all times, spotting, watching for hazards, or assisting in the event of an emergency. “Go ahead, I’ll catch up” is a risk.
Canyoning is an inherently dangerous activity, and water (even if not swift) increases that level of danger. Although we may not always be able to help those who need it, and we may not always get the outcome we desire even if we do the right thing, we should try to place ourselves in a position where we can help each other if we need to, or make the best effort we can to help without, risking additional injury or loss of life. As a non-competitive team sport, canyoneers need to be mindful of our own safety and ability to help others, but also everyone else’s safety and their ability to help us. Good communication, good attitudes, and good team dynamics are critical for continued, safe, descent of canyons.