July 10, 1952
John Tallmadge was descending a 'shortcut' route down the South Face of Hallett Peak when he fell 200 feet to his death. His body was found four months later.Source: Accidents in North American Mountaineering, 1953
August 13, 1954
Leahdell Dick attempted to descend a snowfield between Hallett and Otis Peak after ascending Hallett when she slipped and slid to the base, impacting rocks and suffering cuts and bruises.Source: Accidents in North American Mountaineering, 1956
May 30, 1956
Patrick Dwyer was ascending the North Face when he took a 200 foot freefall to a snowfield below. He began to slide again, but was stopped by a tree. He survived the fall, receiving a concussion and bruises. He was carried out by Search and Rescue.Source: Accidents in North American Mountaineering, 1957
July 10, 1956
Jack Jay was glissading a snowfield with his partner when he slipped and slid into rocks, injuring his hips and breaking his right foot.Source: Accidents in North American Mountaineering, 1957
July 18, 1958
David Drake was rappelling Hallett's North Face when a piton came out, resulting in a 30 foot fall that fractured vertebra and spraining his ankle. His was able to hike out with assistance from his partner.Source: Accidents in North American Mountaineering, 1959
1976
Elizabeth Wilson and Gary Neptune descended from Hallett Peak when Wilson slipped on a snowfield and ran into Neptune. They both slid into a large boulder 200 feet down. Wilson suffered a sprained ankle and a broken left leg. Neptune received an injured knee and was able to find assistance to carry out Wilson.Source: Accidents in North American Mountaineering, 1977
1980
Larry Layman was climbing the Northcutt-Carter route when he ran out of rope and fell 120 feet. His belayer climbed up to him and helped lower him down. He suffered a broken shoulder blade and skull fractures.Source: Accidents in North American Mountaineering, 1981
June 9, 1982
Matthew Slater was ascending Hallett Chimney without placing protection and fell 200 feet before the rope stopped his fall when a rock came loose. He suffered cuts and a broken leg and foot.Source: Accidents in North American Mountaineering, 1983
August 29, 1982
David Dangle was ascending the Northcutt-Carter route when weather forced them to turn back. Using a large rock with sling anchors, Dangle fell as the rock came loose; the rock falling on the next ledge and stopping Dangle's fall in the process. He suffered a deep cut on his knee.Source: Accidents in North American Mountaineering, 1983
February 5, 1984
Robert Kelman was traversing a snowfield on skis when he lost control and tumbled into a tree near the base, breaking his lower leg. His friend helped him into a bivy sack and went for assistance. He was evacuated by helicopter.Source: Accidents in North American Mountaineering, 1985
May 13, 1990
John Seebohm was ascending Hallett Chimney when ice had made the route impassable. He attempted to retreat down an ice wall when his footholds gave way in the soft ice and he fell backward 30 feet. His fall was stopped by the rope and he sustained rib and shoulder injuries, but was able to hike out.Source: Accidents in North American Mountaineering, 1991
June 28, 1992
Glenn McDonald and Wayne Smart were ascending Hallett Chimney when McDonald was struck and killed by lightning.Source: Rocky Mountain News
June 25, 1994
John Baise was leading a pitch on the West Gully when he could not continue and descended to the ledge where his unroped group was, falling en-route. He hit one of the climbers and caused a domino-effect, resulting in Amy Sweat's 60 foot fall. She suffered back injuries. The rescue helicopter crashed near the summit of Hallett. No one was injured in the crash, however, the rescue helicopter that did evacuate Sweat was in another crash the next week and all of the crew were killed.Source: Accidents in North American Mountaineering, 1995
July 22, 1994
Debbie Gruneberg was bouldering near Hallett Creek when she fell 20 feet and broke her neck in several places. She was carried out by SAR Park Rangers.Source: Accidents in North American Mountaineering, 1995
June 15, 1995
Robert Gould was ascending Hallett Chimney when he slipped on wet rock and fell 35 feet. He was unconscious following the fall and was lowered by his partner. He was carried out by search and rescue.Source: Accidents in North American Mountaineering, 1996
July 1995
An unknown male fell and required a rescue and was the first of three accidents in July 1995. No other details are availableSource: Rocky Mountain News
July 29, 1995
Robert Logan fell 20 feet on wet rock while ascending the Culp-Bossier route, fracturing his back. He was pulled up to the top of the route by members of his group later to ease the rescue.Source: Accidents in North American Mountaineering, 1996
July 30, 1995
A 35 year old unknown male was ascending Hallett Peak via a technical route when he fell 25 feet and injured his back. He was rescued.Source: Rocky Mountain News
September 4, 1995
'Tom' was climbing with his partner 'Ed' on the Love route when climber above them loosed rock which hit Tom's arm. Ed helped him down and found assistance to bandage Tom. Tom suffered a compound fracture of the radius and required amputation of two inches of bone.Source: Accidents in North American Mountaineering, 1996
July 28, 1999
Frederick Sperry was ascending the Culp-Bossier route when he became off-route and he attempted to traverse over to the Jackson Johnson route. He fell 70 feet and struck his head and feet on the rock face in a pendulum, suffering cuts to his head and back and a broken finger.Source: Accidents in North American Mountaineering, 2000
Hallett Peak from Bear Lake
Photo © Gordon Novak