Risk Management Corner: February

INCIDENT #1

Activity Title: Ascending Hikes – Ascending Hikes Section, Winter Edition - Independence Peak via O'Fallon and Pence Parks
Activity Date: Feb 2, 2024
Activity Type: Snowshoeing
Group/Section: Ascending Hikes Section Denver
Date and Time of Incident: 2/2/24 1:30 PM
Number of people in party: 10
Geographic Location / Route: Independence Peak Trail near the parking lot at Pence Park
Trip Name and Number: Independence Peak via O'Fallon Park
Mileage, Elevation +/-: 7 miles, 1600 ft

Primary Injured Person: CMC Member
Role on the trip: Student / Participant (CMC Member)
Experience for this activity: Moderate (1-3 years)

Type of Injury: Abrasion
Location / Conditions present during incident: Rock
Mode of Travel: Walking

Immediate Cause: Fall or slip on rock
Further Description of Immediate Cause: Subject tripped on a rock. Her microspike caught on the rock.

Narrative Description: Subject was descending the trail with the group and tripped on a rock, landing on her knees, causing minor abrasions and bruising. Subject was able to walk the rest of the way back to the TH and to the cars with no problem.

Analysis: This was an accident of not picking up one's foot high enough to clear the rock.

Summary: Subject, a moderately experienced participant, tripped on a rock while descending the Independence Peak Trail, sustaining minor abrasions and bruising on her knees. The incident was attributed to not lifting her foot high enough to clear the rock. Despite the fall, subject was able to continue walking without significant impediment.

INCIDENT #2

Activity Title: Beginner Snowshoe - One Day Session – Sourdough Trail
Activity Start Date: Jan 28, 2024
Activity Type: Snowshoeing
Group/Section: Denver
Date and Time of Incident: 1/28/24 12:30 PM
Number of people in party: 11
Geographic Location / Route: Brainard Lake Rec Area, just off-trail from Left Hand Reservoir Road, about .25 miles from the gate
Trip Name and Number: Beginner Snowshoe School session K
Mileage, Elevation +/-: ~0.25 miles, ~150 ft elevation gain

Role on the trip: Student / Participant (CMC Member)
Experience for this activity: None or little (<1 year)

Type of Injury: Strain
Location / Conditions present during incident: Snow
Mode of Travel: Snowshoeing

Immediate Cause: Other
Further Description of Immediate Cause: Subject was traveling off-trail in snow, their snowshoe came off and their foot postholed to their knee.

Contributory Causes: Equipment Failure, Other

Narrative Description: During a Beginner Snowshoe School session at Brainard Lake, a participant with little snowshoe experience, was involved in an incident about 20 feet off-trail in deep snow. Her snowshoe came off, causing her foot to posthole into the snow up to her knee. Despite assistance from instructors, she felt a strain in her knee/leg and opted not to continue with the course. She was accompanied back to the parking lot by an instructor for further assessment, while the rest of the group continued the session. Her condition did not require immediate medical attention, but she was advised to seek it if necessary.

Analysis: This incident underscores the importance of careful monitoring and engagement with participants, especially in introductory courses. While the instructors provided guidance and assistance, a more focused discussion about the off-trail environment might have helped the member understand the challenge better and make an informed decision to skip that portion of the instruction. Instructors play a vital role in creating a safe environment where participants feel empowered to decline activities that exceed their current abilities.