Turner is a guide for the Grand Teton National Park in Moose, Wyoming, and is the Exum Mountain Guides' corporate president. & When he fell, Gary Falk had just successfully guided his group of three students from a program called City Kids, and their chaperone, to the top of the mountain, according to Grand Teton National Parks accident report, made public by a FOIA request filed by the Jackson Hole News&Guide. Glenn Exum, a mountain climber who conquered the summits of the Alps and the Rockies and shared his experience with hundreds of others through his guide service, died on March 17 at his home. slang when identifying political parties. Glenn Exum was born in Topaz, Idaho, on June 24, 1911. Today, skilled guides train clients of all ages . Exum is an authorized concession of the National Park Service and a nondiscriminatory permittee of multiple US Forest Service districts. Climbers use them for a variety of tasks, including tying webbing into sling loops. Many of the employers in Teton County come across hazards that are more unpredictable, than those found in more traditional work settings, Ysebaert said. 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But light from a set of headlamps appeared on the descent route from the peak and those in the camp figured it was Gardner, perhaps aiding a late party down. This is the name that will be used to identify you within the system. Thats one of the ways we attempt to reach out, Ysebaert said. [Photo] Tom Santoro, "Needless to say, we're all devastated," Turner said Sunday from Grand Teton National Park. Some just hold on to the belay rope. accounts or history behind an article. Jeb Williamson, a former president of the American Alpine Club, said Mr. Exum had studied European methods of guiding climbers in the 1930's and had worked to change them. anything. Again, tests show that a water knot specifically one made on 9/16-inch webbing like what Falk was using must be tied with long tails and repeatedly checked. Sign up to receive a weekly e-newsletter with a selection of private, public and continuing education news from theJackson Hole News&Guide. Sign up to receive a weekly e-newsletter with a selection of economic and business news from theJackson Hole News&Guide. Exum chief Nat Partridge conveyed that the loss was a huge tragedy, and that Falks passing will deeply impact the whole climbing/guiding community. Rangers and fellow guides recovered the climbers body Sunday. An investigation following the death of an Exum Mountain Guides staff member this summer leads to two citations and a hefty fine of $7,350 for the Wyoming based company. Recovery of Gardner's body, accomplished with a helicopter, was delayed when a rain shower moved through the Tetons early Sunday morning. This would be consistent with leaning out on a lanyard that fails, the report said. Be truthful. It was not something that was over and above him in any way, Turner said. Never miss a story sign up for WyoFiles free weekly newsletter, OSHAs goals are to spread word about new safety information learned from accidents. There was no one better at taking care of their clients., The process with OSHA was very positive, Patridge said. . Even though the server responded OK, it is possible the submission was not processed. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Do they have any responsibility to ensure the safety of visitors utilizing the concessionaires? "He was a happy man," Johnstone said. But OSHA standards dont eliminate all risk. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to read or post comments. Each client would use a friction descending device known as an ATC. the fun-loving attitude home. Glenn Exum, Who Taught Others To Climb Mountains, Dies at 88, https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/28/us/glenn-exum-who-taught-others-to-climb-mountains-dies-at-88.html. Contact him at angus@wyofile.com or (307) publications. The water knot, also known as a ring bend or an overhand follow-through bend, may still have a place in mountaineering, despite its flaws. Learn More{{/message}}, {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}It appears your submission was successful. He had been working for Exum Mountain Guides for 12 years, according to a statement. You may cancel your membership at anytime, but no refunds will be issued for payments already made. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. 2023 Exum Mountain Guides - All Rights Reserved. The Classic Grand Teton climb is a 4-day program - and it's what sets Exum apart from all other guide services. The route is rated 5.7 on the Yosemite Decimal Scale. But because of a last-minute re-arrangement of climbing teams, Falk found himself one ATC short. Other than this, we will not share any contact information that you give to us. Turner said it was a natural thing to do and that Gardner had guided the route and climbed it before, alone and without a rope. The Park Service recovered Falks body that morning via a helicopter long line. We certainly will be looking at what happened here and working to determine if we need to share the information with guide services around the country about standards like this.. He was preparing to safeguard the students with a belay rope as they rappelled one-at-a-time off a roughly 120-foot drop slightly below the summit. Darkness came and some of the guides became a little worried. Exum Mountain Guides president and co-owner called Falk a diligent guide, always the consummate professional.. Anyone can read what you share. Wyoming news. We do not know, and will never know, the cause of his death. Privacy Policy Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language. | Max Ritter photo. Be proactive. Exum Mountain guide Gary Falk, 42, had just guided four climbers up the Grand Teton, which is more than 13,700 feet (4,175 meters) in elevation. But water knots inspected in June may go through hundreds of loading/unloading cycles by the end of the summer guiding season in September. Most guided climbers reach the summit via the regular Exum Ridge, a route that avoids the 5.7 difficulties of the lower ridge. Create a password that only you will remember. Share with us. As far as we can see, he was not working for Exum, Turner said of the excursion. 1/2 is rated for body weight only, but 9/16 is rated for a fall. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. Tests show when water knots made with 9/16-inch webbing are repeatedly loaded and unloaded, one tail will eventually be pulled through the knot. Dealing with a worker safety agency can sometimes lead down a black hole of nightmarish bureaucracy, an experience that is likely the antithesis to what a mountain guide generally offers. He began working with Paul Petzoldt, the legendary mountaineer and climbing instructor, in Mr. Petzoldt's guide service in Grand Teton National Park, and took over the service in 1955. Sign up to receive a weekly e-newsletter with a selection of town and county government news from theJackson Hole News&Guide. Guides organized, made phone calls, and set out for the mountain. George Gardner a 58-year-old Ridgeway, Colo., resident, educator, husband and father of two was found dead by companion guides early Sunday morning beneath the Lower Exum Ridge route he was thought to have been climbing. Tell us what you think. "He was someone who was passionate about being the best teacher and guide he could be," Santelices said, "especially with kids.". See the article in its original context from. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. Visit the Exum website for more information. Falk guided high-altitude volcanoes in Mexico and Ecuador and skied several peaks including Chimborazo (20,702 feet), Cotopaxi (19,347) and Cayambe Gardner was a veteran of the Himalaya and South America and had climbed across North America. news and struggling to comprehend the situation.. He was a happy man, Johnstone said. the Reverse Fitz Traverse, Killer Mountain: Death and Rescue on Nanga Parbat in Winter. You have permission to edit this article. 1/2 webbing and 9/16 are 2 different animals. He could probably have cinched it down a little bi t more, but it has more than enough tail. Gardner is survived by his wife, Colleen, son Michael, who was spending the summer with him at Exum's Guide's Hill base camp, and daughter Megan. page. Gary was a diligent guide, always the consummate professional," Patridge said. He had been leading a group of climbers to the summit of Grand Teton, the highest peak in the Teton Range at 13,770 feet. friend, colleague and photographer says. This was a guides error. Throughout those years, a countless number of individuals from age 8 80 have climbed with us. An Exum mountain guide perished Saturday in Grand Teton National Park while leading a group of clients down the Grand Teton after completing a successful summit bid. Thanks for your support of WyoFile! Not an excuse but just facts. Welcome to the Exum Guide Service and School of Mountaineering in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. You're as obsessed with the facts as we are! By Angus M. Thuermer Jr., Jackson Hole, Wyo. No political attacks. $4.99/month $3.75/month*. He was immediately projected outward and plunged to his death, the park report said. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. was hauling up from below. OSHA cited Exum for violating a standard that dictates that when a worker supplies his or her own safety gear, the employer shall be responsible to assure its adequacy, including proper maintenance.. As a result of the OSHA investigation, they have implemented inspection regimen for that and [agreed] to document that and have a log book and to train on inspection procedures, Ysebaert said. As for Falk, he was a beloved person and one of the best guides in this country, Patridge said. Dont. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. the park rangers who investigated his death believe that the water knot of his personal anchor, a tied loop of webbing, failed, and Falk fell from The investigation underscores an emerging awareness among businesses in the recreation and outdoors industry that they are subject to rules seeking to ensure safety even in unconventional workplaces like ski resorts and wilderness areas. Exum Mountain Guides paid the fine and resolved two citations after an investigation by Wyomings Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Partner of USATODAY Lifestyle/Action Sports, Skiing the Steepest Lines in the Lyngen Alps The White Giant, Brace Yourself For the Hot Dog Hans III Premiere, BEEFS T.V.s Biggest Wipeouts of Winter 2023, TGR Tested: Fischers Ranger 108 Is A Confidence-Inspiring Dai, Claire McPherson Speaks About her First Win At Kings and Queens, Grand Teton, Teton County, WY, United States, UPDATED: Full Athlete List for Kings and Queens of Corbets 2023, The Les Gets Bike Park Reopened For MTBs, American Freeskier Kyle Smaine Killed in Avalanche in Japan. Several began to ascend the Lower Exum while others went higher up the peak intending to descend the ridge. Your email address will not be published. Sign up to receive a weekly e-newsletter with a selection of town and county government news from theJackson Hole News&Guide. In fact, the famed Les Gets bike park - just a few valleys over from the Mont Blanc Massif - reopened its lifts to mountain bikers due to a lack of snow. 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