'The desert isn't kind to nylon': Witness recounts tragic accident that led to climber's death in Joshua Tree [CA]

The Desert Sun ^ | James B. Cutchin

[BenLurkin]

The second climber to die in Joshua Tree National Park this year has been identified by a witness as an experienced climber named Tina Fiori.

Fiori died Saturday afternoon following an 80-foot-fall while rock climbing.

Tina Lynn Fiori was 51 years old and a resident of Riverside County.

Himmelstein said the group was "top roping," a method of climbing that involves stringing a rope through a permanent anchor system at the top of the climb. The rope acts as a safety mechanism that supports a climber's weight if they fall. A second person assists gathering slack at the bottom of the climb and serving as a counterweight.

Himmelstein explained that climbing equipment, such as a type of nylon rope known as webbing, is often left attached to the permanent anchors at the top of a climb.

"(Fiori) just ended up being the last person in the day to climb up there," he said. "She got to the top and told us that she had secured herself, so the person down at the bottom was no longer doing that safety work."

Himmelstein said Fiori ran her safety rope through nylon webbing that had been left by someone who had previously climbed the route.

"Whether it was six months old (or) two years old I can't tell you, but it was old enough that it was compromised," he said. "And that's what failed."

When Fiori leaned back to repel down the rocks, the weathered webbing gave way and the she fell to her death.

Himmelstein said the use of used webbing and other leftover equipment is "not uncommon" at any climbing location, but that it is done less frequently in Joshua Tree than in many other places.

[LS]

Yep.