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accident at Bunny Bucket 4-Jan-2009 At 5:40:55 PM BigMike

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Rope failure may have caused fatal fall

Paul Bibby
January 4, 2009

THE death of a Sydney rock climber who fell from a popular Blue Mountains climbing
spot appeared to be the result of a problem with ropes, rescuers said yesterday.

The body of the 24-year-old, whose name has not been released, was retrieved
yesterday morning, nearly 24 hours after he plunged 100 metres to his death at Pierces
Pass, known among climbers as Bunny Bucket Buttress.

A local involved in the rescue, who asked not to be named, said the dead man and his
friend appeared to be experienced climbers.

"It looks like a roping accident - a rope gave way," the rescuer said.

"It looks like they knew what they were doing. This kind of thing can happen to anyone -
it happens up here every year."

Ambulance officers say the man died from the fall.

His climbing partner was found during the search and treated for a minor arm injury.

Police said yesterday they were still trying to contact relatives of the dead man.

Bunny Bucket Buttress, a sheer cliff near the Bells Line of Road, is a popular site
among the climbing community, with experienced climbers taking about four hours to
reach the top.

Climbers across the country expressed their condolences in online climbing forums
yesterday.

"It is a sad day when we lose one of our own, be they personal friends, family or mere
acquaintances," one climber said.

Another said: "Terrible news. Thoughts go out to family and friends, whoever they are."