NOVA Home Find out what's coming up on air Listing of previous NOVA Web sites NOVA's history Subscribe to the NOVA bulletin Lesson plans and more for teachers NOVA RSS feeds Tell us what you think Program transcripts Buy NOVA videos or DVDs Watch NOVA programs online Answers to frequently asked questions

Survival Skills
by Thom Pollard

Click on an image to select a skill

Deadly Ascent homepage



Self-Arrest Snow Cave Igloo Crevasse Rescue

Crevasse Rescue


On Denali there is an everpresent danger of falling into a crevasse, so climbers should never travel unroped. When a climber falls into a crevasse, his/her partners must immediately move into self-arrest positions to prevent the climber from falling any deeper into the crevasse.


While the rescuer farthest from the fallen climber remains in self-arrest, the rescuer closer by immediately sets up an anchor on the rope. This is done by hammering a picket or deadman into the snow. (An ice axe won't work.) The rescuer then attaches a sling to the rope with a tension knot, and the sling is attached to the anchor via a locking carabiner.


The knot should then be slid down the rope toward the fallen climber so as to take up tension on the rope. Meanwhile, the end rescuer can ease the load off him-/herself. For safety reasons, a second backup anchor should be placed and attached to the carabiner on the end of the knot. When the rope is secured, the rescuers should assess the condition of the fallen climber. If the climber is uninjured, he/she can then begin to climb out of the crevasse under his/her own power, using jumar ascenders or tension knots.


Self-Arrest Snow Cave Igloo Crevasse Rescue

Back to top




Deadly Ascent
Core-Temperature

Predicting Survival
Can medical science forecast why some people get sick climbing at high altitude while others don't?

Dispatches

Dispatches
Read accounts of the Spring 2000 expedition sent in from the field.

Climb Denali

Climb Denali
Explore the demanding route from base camp to the 20,320-foot summit.

Survival Skills

Survival Skills
What are the basic skills anyone heading into the mountains should have?

Body Breakdowns

Body Breakdowns
See how extreme cold can damage the human body.





Send Feedback Image Credits
   
NOVA Home Find out what's coming up on air Listing of previous NOVA Web sites NOVA's history Subscribe to the NOVA bulletin Lesson plans and more for teachers NOVA RSS feeds Tell us what you think Program transcripts Buy NOVA videos or DVDs Watch NOVA programs online Answers to frequently asked questions