Weekend Whipper: Dangerous Rockfall at Birdsboro Quarry, Pennsylvania
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Hwa “Fine” Han walked away from this fall in Birdsboro Quarry, Pennsylvania with “intense bruising” and “several stitches”—which she considers lucky. You’ll understand once you watch it….
“I was climbing on a 5.9 arete (aptly named Jenga) at Birdsboro Quarry to traverse over to work on a 5.12 called Zorro,” Han told Rock and Ice. She pulled on a block that came out—and with it another huge boulder.
“Thankfully I was already clipped to the first bolt so I avoided falling in the direction of the rockfall,” Han said. “Instead I swung into the wall on the right, slamming my body.”
Her belayer was safely sheltered on the other side of the arete, and the rockfall didn’t hit anyone else.
“This was my first freak accident in my five year climbing career and made me take some time to think about my relationship with climbing and risk assessment.” Han said. “I’m continuing to challenge my physical and mental limits but with more caution.”
Happy Friday and climb safe this weekend!