Date of Event: 3/18/2017
Canyon involved: Monkeyface
Region: Southern California (San Bernardino Mtns)
Country: United States
Submitted by: Danielle Monroy
Source: www.ropewiki.com
Injury: Lateral meniscus injury
Cause: Pendulum fall
Description of Event: According to the report, on the last rappel; “The team member set the rope and proceeded to descend at a 75 degree slope. It was half dry and half mossy. The team member advanced about 10 feet trying to stay on the high and dry side but the rope kept wanting to go the natural way with gravity (i.e. in the fall line). As they were adjusting, they stepped to their right and one foot got on the moss and that’s when they lost control, swung over and their knee hit one rock and got lodged in another and twisted.”
Analysis: It is unclear why the rappeller wanted to avoid the fall line. Generally speaking, it is best to stay in the fall line whenever possible to avoid creating the potential for a pendulum fall.