Three Climbers Die in Mexico
Three separate incidents have led to the deaths of three men in Mexico. It is peak climbing season and thousands travel there in January
American climber Charles King, 25, was climbing Pico de Orizaba, a 5,636-metre peak that straddles Puebla and Veracruz, when he and three companions fell about 1,000 metres from below the summit. The climbers slipped off icy rocks. King fell about 100 metres and died from his injuries. His body was lowered to 1,000 metres to a point the helicopter could reach.
In the popular sport climbing destination El Potrero Chico, two climbers died from separate rappelling accidents. Two Europeans had recently arrived and climbed Time Wave Zero, a 20+ pitch 5.12. One climber rappelled off the end of his rope and fell to his death. He hit another climber while falling, who was OK.
On Jan. 3, four climbers were descending Estrellita, a 12-pitch 5.10, when one fell to the ground. Other climbers rushed to rescue him, but he was unresponsive. Reports suggest the climber rappelled off the end of his ropes. The climber’s name was Andrew Poole.