Rock Climbing Fatality Rate. In 2014, a man died while climbing indoors at the Boulder Rock Clu

In 2014, a man died while climbing indoors at the Boulder Rock Club in Colorado. This style of climbing is extremely dangerous, as any fall could result in serious injury or death. 3 Mar 1, 2023 · An old study done on Yosemite climbers from the 1980s cited the injury rate to be as high as 37. To date, little data exists to test this hypothesis. According to the United States Parachute Association, the fatality rate is around 20 out of 3 million jumps. Sep 28, 2024 · Germany - indoor climbing and outdoor climbing reports; (links are at bottom of page) Netherlands Norway Spain - Spanish Mountain Federation Sweden and one more Switzerland - Free PDF downloads for the last 10 years or so of accident reports, in French Turkey - Mountain accidents report, in Turkish. 9 Our results suggest climber registration could be an intervention to gather more The climbing is chill, practice some simu-climbing with your buddy so you can move faster. However, the risks associated with rock climbing, as with many outdoor pursuits, do mean that an accident can be fatal. 4 alpine routes. Jun 10, 2018 · A significant number of climbing injuries and deaths occur from rocks falling from above. The overall fatality rate for outdoor rock climbing is approximately 0. Jun 14, 2022 · Conclusions: Accident victims tend to be young and predominantly male, and the accidents themselves are most often falls. Assessment of risk factors: Rock May 31, 2023 · Mount Everest may have taken the most lives, but other peaks have higher fatality rates. Nov 5, 2016 · Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. Mountaineering athletes, for instance, demonstrate higher rates of head and spine injuries as well as higher grade traumas and poly-traumas, while sport and alpine climbing see a high incidence of lower limb Overall, climbing sports had a lower injury incidence and severity score than many popular sports, including basketball, sailing or soccer; indoor climbing ranked the lowest in terms of injuries of all sports assessed. 3% of adults participated in rock climbing at least once during the prior 12 months. Learn about this free solo fall and the rescuers' experience here, and dive into the larger conversation abou Oct 3, 2025 · An Alaskan climbing influencer has died after falling from El Capitan, a famous vertical rock formation in California's Yosemite National Park. How do most rock climbers die Oct 13, 2022 · The latest rock climbing and bouldering statistics regarding accidents, injuries, deaths, demographics, industry size, and popularity TABLE III Estimated Accident and Mortality Rates for Snow and Ice Climbing and Rock Climbing u0007 Number of climbersu0007 Injuries per 1000 Deaths per 1000 registered climbers registered climbersu0007 u0007 Snow and iceu0007 6,241u0007 3. Sep 23, 2025 · Mat Travizano fell to his death on Mt. 01 to 0. g. Although these statistics continue to change over time, they offer some perspective. At least 300 people have died on the mountain. Climbers attempting this peak must contend with extreme cold and high-altitude We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Sep 1, 2013 · A lower overall injury risk was observed for indoor climbing than for outdoor rock climbing. 5-y span and found 11 fatalities of 220 subjects (case fatality rate 6%). Aug 1, 1993 · The popular perception of rock climbing is often of a high risk sport, with serious injury a common outcome of participation. Background Extreme sports are popular and include motorised and non-motorised vehicle sports, e. Sep 26, 2025 · In 2024, 71 accidents occurred on alpine-style climbs. 079 injuries/1000 h for indoor climbing. This list includes climbing and mountaineering disasters that resulted in multiple deaths (4+). Balin Miller's mother confirmed that the 23-year-old died in a climbing accident Wednesday. The use of proper safety gear reduces We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. We analyzed 127 climbing-related injuries reported to the US National Park Service in 1981 and 1982, 36 (28%) of which were fatal. Objective To understand the causes of death and contributing factors in extreme sports Dec 11, 2025 · Statistic 1 BASE jumping has an estimated fatality rate of 1 death for every 2,317 jumps Statistic 2 Attempting to summit Mount Everest results in a death rate of approximately 1 percent for those who venture above base camp Statistic 3 Hang gliding has a fatality rate estimated at 1 in 560 participants per year Statistic 4 In 1982, two of the authors published an initial, descriptive study dealing with mountaineering and climbing accidents that occurred from 1970 to 1980 [1]. According to a UK study UK, you have more chances dying running or playing tennis while dying rock climbing. What percentage of rock climbers die? The fatality rate from rock climbing accidents varies quite significantly: Forrester et al. Participants: 201 active rock climbers (163 male, 38 female climbers) aged 16–62 years. The purpose of this study was to determine injury rates and associated data in a group of Australian rock climbers. While there had been 532 successful summits as of May 2022, 52 climbers had lost their lives on the mountain. 007 per 1000 h of rock climbing. It is interesting to compare the climbing incidence figures (2 accidents per 1000 climbers or 1 accident per 2000 climber-hours) to figures from other sporting activities. Mar 2, 2023 · Annapurna stands as the inverse of Mt. List of mountaineering disasters by death toll North Face of Everest as seen from the path to North Base Camp. Data suggests the odds of dying while rock climbing are well behind the likes of swimming, cycling and even running. Dec 11, 2025 · Rock climbing has an estimated fatality rate of 0. Analysis of Dec 1, 2018 · Indoor and outdoor rock climbing and mountaineering can result in injury (collectively considered climbing-related injuries), which ranges from the inherent risk of falling and hitting objects or the ground, to stress-related climbing injuries due to the unique forces placed on the musculoskeletal system. 86 m (29,031 ft 81⁄2 in), is Earth's highest mountain and a particularly desirable peak for mountaineers. Extreme sports can help people become more aware of their own bodies and mind. Setting: Rock climbers were recruited at five outdoor and six indoor climbing venues in the UK. Nov 29, 2023 · Indoor and outdoor rock climbing and mountaineering can result in injury (collectively considered climbing-related injuries), which ranges from the inherent risk of falling and hitting objects or the ground, to stress-related climbing injuries due to the unique forces placed on the musculoskeletal system. 48u0007 u0007 Rocku0007 30,134u0007 2. Learn more about belaying accidents, rappelling accidents, trad anchor accidents, and more —and what We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. However, few data have been published on climbing accidents in Switzerland, even though the Swiss Alps are a major climbing resort. May 10, 2024 · Rock climbing, a strength and resistance training sport, has gained increasing popularity over the last decade and was added to the Olympic Games in 2020 [1, 2]. From the abstract, emphasis added: Overall, climbing sports had a lower injury incidence and severity score than many popular sports, including basketball, sailing or soccer; indoor climbing ranked the lowest in terms of injuries of all sports assessed. To analyse data on accidents related to outdoor climbing treated Objectives: To determine the prevalence and nature of rock-climbing injuries, and the factors associated with these injuries. 86 0. Jul 1, 2009 · The mortality rate for mountaineers climbing above 6000 m in the Nepali Himalaya between 1990 and 2006 4 Summary of the causes of death found in studies of skiers and snowboarders Mar 29, 2022 · Outdoor rock climbing has become popular in recent years. Dec 10, 2021 · This chart shows the number of deaths as a share of all expeditions on mountains over 8,000 meters. Although death is rare among patients with climbing-related injuries, the costs of injuries in survivors remain high. Shasta, a month after another fatality. And buckle up on your way to your next adventure! We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Oct 4, 2025 · Balin Miller, a noted mountain and rock climber, fell to his death this week at the El Capitan rock formation in California's Yosemite National Park, his mother said. With a fatality rate of about 10 deaths per 100 successful summits, Gasherbrum II, also known as K4, holds the 8th spot on our list. Table of Contents How many people died from rock climbing a year? How many accidents a year are caused by climbing? How do most climbing deaths happen? Which mountain has highest death rate? Is K2 deadlier than Everest? Why do they leave bodies on Everest? Is rock climbing safer than driving? How safe is bouldering? Is sport climbing safer than Nov 26, 2025 · The number of deaths that resulted from climbing accidents in the United States between 1951 and 2019 exhibits considerable region variability. Almost every loose rock fatality is not caused by spontaneous rockfall from above but when a climber accidentally knocks a rock off or if it is triggered by the rope or the victim. It’s speculated that death rates have increased for climbers due to heightened popularity around timed climbing, gaining social media clout, and persual of sponsorship deals. Seriously don't underestimate that hike with the added weight of rope & rack. Sep 8, 2010 · California in particular has a much smaller fatality per capita rate than total fatality rate. Aug 1, 2010 · Rock and ice climbing are widely considered to be 'high-risk' sporting activities that are associated with a high incidence of severe injury and even death, compared with more mainstream sports. The second most accident-prone discipline of 2024? Trad climbing, with 52 total accidents. 6% [14] and Schussmann et al. Extrapolating 30 deaths per 5,000,000 North American Climbers to the estimated Jun 21, 2023 · Different forms of climbing also demonstrate different trends in rates, severity, and fatality of injuries within the sport as a whole. found a mortality rate of <1% [10], Lack et al. This list includes climbing and mountaineering disasters that resulted in multiple deaths (2+) in North America. Provided by Touchpoints Just goes to show that sport climbing and alpine climbing are wildly different beasts. The highest number of accidents and fatalities occurred in the 1970s and 1980s, especially in Washington and California. Everest is the tallest mountain in the world but only has the tenth highest death rate. We speak with the peak's lead climbing ranger for answers. Denali, the highest mountain in North America. Falls are responsible for around 60% of all climbing-related fatalities. 8 A 2010 review article suggested the case fatality rate of climbing should be in the range of 0 to 28%. 6 days ago · A rock climber has died after falling 20m while scaling cliffs at a popular site in Tasmania’s south. Other categories include ice/mixed climbing, big wall climbing, bouldering, toproping, free soloing, and ski mountaineering. While the comparisons aren’t exact, there were 11. 4 fatal car c Dec 17, 2023 · Rock Climbing: The fatality rate for rock climbing hovers around 0. This updated and expanded study examines the climbing and mountaineering accidents from 1981 through 1986, providing specific data on causative factors, errors made by climbers, and preventive strategies. 03 deaths per 10,000 climbers per year. When it comes to rock climbing as a whole, it is a generally safe sport. Avalanches were identified as an accident cause with a high fatality rate. 1, 7 Yet despite growing popularity of Oct 7, 2012 · Bouldering (ropeless climbing to low heights), sport climbing (mostly bolt protected lead climbing with little objective danger) and indoor climbing (climbing indoors on artificial rock structures), showed a small injury rate, minor injury severity and few fatalities. , mountain hiking, mountain biking, paragliding May 26, 2022 · Concerning the injury severity, rock climbing studies show mostly minor injury severities (NACA-score 1 and 2) with a fatality rate of 0–28% [1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 44, 47, 53]. Jun 7, 2024 · About 72 have died climbing — making Annapurna’s fatality rate one of the highest among 8,000m mountains. Balin Miller, 23, was live-streamed on TikTok Sep 4, 2018 · There have been over 30 recorded climbing deaths on El Capitan between 1905 and 2023. Venturing into the realm of extreme rock climbing tests the human limits. motocross, mountain biking and water skiing, as well as non-vehicle sports, e. Jun 4, 2020 · Why Do People Climb If There is a Risk of Death or Serious Injury? There are multiple reasons why people may choose to rock climb even though there is some risk of injury or death. Risk factors significantly associated with climbing injury were climbing discipline (bouldering > sport/lead climbing), return to climbing while still in pain, finger taping, higher number of hours climbed per session and per year, climbing at higher bouldering difficulties, and unsupervised climbing. Oct 3, 2025 · A popular Alaskan climber fell to his death from Yosemite National Park’s El Capitan. Extrapolating 30 deaths per 5,000,000 North American Climbers to the estimated Jan 30, 2023 · An official form of the United States government. The case fatality rate was 4. Because loose rock is everywhere, you need to be always vigilant. At least 100 people have died on the mountain. A retrospective survey was undertaken and data collected from 59 active rock climbers. , mountain hiking, mountain biking, paragliding, trekking, rock, ice and high-altitude climbing. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Nov 22, 2021 · Has anyone died in a climbing gym? Fatal accidents at climbing gyms are rare, with only a few in North America in the last decade. Extrapolating 30 deaths per 5,000,000 North American Climbers to the estimated Jul 3, 2024 · Is rock climbing dangerous? Rock climbing is not considered a particularly high risk sport when practised safely. 02 fatalities per 1,000 participants annually. This report shows incident trends for climbing through March 2024 Dec 27, 2022 · In the case of free solo deaths, there often isn't much to analyze or improve upon accident wise, since free-soloing is a personal decision and one that climbers execute alone, without gear. Via ferratas are built in natural environments, like cliffs and ridgelines. Sport climbing comes in third, with 35 accidents last year. This rate includes all forms of climbing, from indoor bouldering to alpine ascents. Oct 15, 2019 · A comprehensive literature search was performed on the death risk (mortality) in mountain sports, primarily practiced during the summer season, i. In the last decade, there have been 7 climbing deaths on the prolific rock face. Dec 27, 2019 · The fatality rate of climbing accidents reported in the literature varies widely. 1, 7 Yet despite growing popularity of Nov 30, 2019 · ANAC has been keeping track of climbing incidents since 1948, and its data shows that accidents happen to beginner and advanced climbers at roughly the same rate. Free solo climbing (or free soloing) is a form of rock climbing where the climber (or free soloist) climbs on technical terrain without ropes or any form of protective equipment — they are allowed to use climbing shoes and climbing chalk (or ice tools and crampons if ice climbing). 20% [13], whereas Ferris et al. I'd be equally interested to know how they got their figures for how many routes are climbed, it must be based on a very rough estimate! > the risk of death in a road accident is close to 100 x larger than the risk of being injured Sep 2, 2022 · The number of climbing accidents reported each year in the United States increased considerably between 1951 and 2019 from only 15 in 1951 to 202 in 2019. In 2018, a 57-year-old climber has died after falling at the Quay Climbing Centre, the largest gym in South West England. [1] May 1, 2025 · Key Findings Rock climbing fatalities are relatively rare compared to other outdoor activities, with an estimated risk of 1 in 1 million injuries leading to death annually. Climbing type focuses on the heights scaled and protection equipment used. This makes Everest the mountain with the most deaths, although it does not have the highest Aug 1, 2010 · Bouldering (ropeless climbing to low heights), sport climbing (mostly bolt protected lead climbing with little objective danger) and indoor climbing (climbing indoors on artificial rock structures), showed a small injury rate, minor injury severity and few fatalities. Mar 1, 2022 · Injury severity was low overall. Dec 17, 2025 · Climbing in the United States - statistics & facts Climbing is a sport in which participants ascend natural rock formations or artificial rock walls. Nov 1, 1990 · Of the fatal accidents in our study, only six involved pure rock climbing accidents; the other fatalities in the Tetons all involved mountaineering activities. It was found that the death risk varies considerably between different summer mountain sports. Nov 29, 2019 · World-renowned climber Brad Gobright has fallen to his death while abseiling in northern Mexico. 003 deaths per 1000 activity hours In a study of 144,000 climbers in the UK there were zero fatalities reported on indoor walls over a specific 5-year period Let’s put that in perspective with another activity that has a terrible public reputation for safety- skydiving. Situated in the Karakoram range, Gasherbrum II features difficult ice and rock sections, crevasses, and avalanche-prone slopes. Jul 24, 2019 · This is still one of our favorite infographics of all time, illustrating the chances of dying by sport and activity. Free solo climbing, also known as free soloing, is a form of technical rock climbing where the climber attempts to scale a rock face without using any ropes, harnesses, or other protective gear. 5% [7], Bowie et al. Mar 30, 2024 · The Numbers: Free Solo Death Rates Let’s start with some cold hard numbers to get an idea of how much free solo contributes to solo climbing deaths and accidents. Design: A retrospective cross-sectional study. 76u0007 u0007 It is interesting that the injury rate is higher for snow and ice climbing but that the Aug 1, 2023 · Rock climbing is an inherently dangerous sport, and according to Gitnux, the annual rock climbing fatality rate worldwide is around 30 deaths per year. e. The causes of death, contributing factors and potential to prevent deaths in extreme sports are poorly understood. Oct 28, 2009 · > The risk of death during rock climbing is 1 in 320,000 climbs according to the HSE Hmm interesting statistic. Jan 13, 2026 · Since 1970, Climbing Magazine has been the voice of the climbing world, publishing climbing news, interviews, features, opinions, and advice. rock climbing. Falls accounted for 75% of all climbing-related injuries Sep 29, 2025 · A via ferrata, the Italian name for “iron path,” is a hybrid between a ropes course and a rock climbing route. Consisting of various subgroups, climbing may be categorized by indoor/outdoor classification and climbing type. The following is a list of mountaineering disasters by death toll. May 1, 2025 · While daring exploits like skydiving and mountain climbing captivate enthusiasts, their stark fatality rates—ranging from 1 in 60 jumps to 1 in 100—serve as a sobering reminder that the only thing more dangerous than the adrenaline is the reality that for some, the thrill is the last thrill. Despite modern improvements to climbing gear, the fatality rate of summit attempts on Kanchenjunga is high. 003–0. 2 As climbing grows in popularity, so does the need to better understand climbing-related injuries and treatment. The following is a list of mountaineering disasters in North America by death toll. Sep 1, 2017 · Recent data from Utah, where indoor and outdoor climbing is readily accessible, indicate that 13. Oct 19, 2020 · The risk for severe or fatal injuries increased with age and fall height when ascending or bouldering, during the morning hours, and when climbing without a helmet or rope. . 02 per 100,000 climbs. Jul 1, 2012 · PDF | Climbing and mountaineering sports are gaining more and more public interest. 72 0. Everest. Sep 1, 1989 · Mountaineering and rock climbing have become increasingly popular in recent years and involve an estimated 100,000 participants; accordingly, the number of climbing-related injuries has also increased. While Annapurna was the first 8,000m peak to be climbed, it remains a challenge and an We take climbing accidents from our renowned yearly publication "Accidents in North American Climbing" and distill important climbing lessons from them, thanks to expert accident analysis. 027 injuries/1000 h and Schöffl and Winkelmann, 8 0. May 30, 2025 · The risk of death in top-rope climbing is significantly lower than in lead climbing, with a fatality rate of about 0. (2010), through an epidemiological analysis of sport-specific injury in rock, indoor, and competition climbing, documented that the death rate in rock climbing approximates to zero, even though the risk of death persists, and that accidents in snow and ice activities are more likely to be fatal. This was a time when new routes were being put up and new terrain was being explored. Nov 22, 2021 · How dangerous is Rock Climbing really? On average, we see about 30 deaths per year, though it does fluctuate. Data on climbing accidents in general are very heterogeneous as they include different subspecialties of this sport and report accidents from different regions. 7%, and the estimated total mortality rate was 0. 5 injuries per 1000 hours of traditional (or “trad”) climbing, a form of climbing outdoors which requires the climber to place their own pieces of gear (or “protection”) into the wall to protect their fall, rather than clipping into pre Sep 1, 2018 · Bowie et al surveyed all injured climbers reporting to the YNP medical clinic in a 3. reported a fatality rate of 41% [18]. Dec 29, 2024 · Based on available data, the rate of climbing-related deaths appears to have stabilized in recent years, but it is still a concerning figure when you consider that rock climbing fatalities make up a small percentage of all outdoor recreation-related deaths. Nov 22, 2021 · What mountain has killed the most climbers? Has anyone died on an auto belay? Is rock climbing safe? Is indoor rock climbing safe? What activity has the highest death rate? What are the chances of dying every day? What are the chances of dying on your birthday? Is rock climbing safer than driving? How common are climbing accidents? Do rock Most persons with climbing-related injuries presenting to EDs do not require inpatient admission. Not sure why this was downvoted - sport climbing and alpine climbing/solo-ing are not the same and just because you're a strong sport climber doesn't mean you can or should solo 5. This chapter reviews scientific studies on injuries and accidents in | Find, read and cite all the research List of people who died climbing Mount Everest North face of Mount Everest At least 344 people [1] have died attempting to reach—or return from—the summit of Mount Everest which, at 8,848. reported 5. Mar 1, 2022 · In contrast, Schöffl et al. Scroll down to see the odds and for more data and related content below the infographic. 1, 2 Limb 9 reported 0. That’s pretty similar to rock climbing, but still is very small. It is an experience that can be meditative in that the only focus is on the next handhold. In the same period of time since I started climbing I can think of five climber friends that have died by wingsuit jumping, cancer, suicide, cancer again, and a car crash driving to go climbing. Nevertheless, a fatality risk remains, especially in alpine and ice climbing.

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