Climbing accident at Ketchum Idaho indoor Climbing Wall
Posted: February 19, 2008 Filed under: Climbing Wall | Tags: Climbing Wall, Idaho, Ketchum, Ketchum Idaho 9 CommentsThe Wood River Community YMCA in Ketchum, Idaho is investigating an accident that occurred on its climbing wall January 25, 2008, as reported by the Idaho Mountain Express and Guide in an article Accident at YMCA still Under Investigated. The injured climber Curtis Hoffenbach, 21 had reached the top of the wall when he fell to the floor. The YMCA has a climbing expert to investigate the accident.
It is not known yet how or why the accident happened. Mr. Hoffenbach’s injuries consisted of six cracked vertebrae, two of which were burst fractures. In order to stabilize them, the L8 through T12 were fused together and the L1 through L3 were anchored with titanium screws Mr. Hoffenbach is expected to be on his back for several months for recovery.
The YMCA requires all persons sign a release to be a member.
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Recreation Law 
The Y’s refusal to provide answers is stupid. This leads to a belief that the Y is covering something up. In reality the Y’s insurance company and lawyers are just paranoid and believe that info leads to litigation.In reality the exact opposite is true, lack of information leads to litigation. People want to know what happens, not necessarily to sue, but because that is how we function. If we don’t learn from our mistakes we are bound to repeat them. Failing to disclose, then allows repetition.
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Email me at recreation.law@gmail.com any time Paul.
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Thank you, Mr. Moss, for the opportunity to let everyone know what is really going on. The “Y” will not disclose any details, or the names of any witnesses. As your comments suggest, we were forced to fight fire w/ fire, and are still waiting for “discovery”. I am very disappointed in the “Y”‘s decision to not be forthcoming in what events took place the night of Curtis’ accident. Sigh…I would love to talk to you. I too spent many wonderful years as a guide on the Main and Middle forks of the Salmon, Hells Canyon and Selway. I worked for Jim Campbell(Wild River-Idaho/Wilderness Encounters) at Shepp Ranch and Polly Bemis Ranch w/ Cort Conley, George Mancini and Pete Gibbs(don’t know if you know any of these guys-Georgie White/Grand Canyon vets), in the 70’s and early 80’s.Thanks again,Paul
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I am a friend of Clyde’s and know him well. I also understand his comment. He meant nothing from a personal perspective. He has watched friends suffer, live and die.Clyde has lain awake at night trying to decide if he should take one of his best friends off life support.At the same time, this blog is based on the idea that we have to accept personal responsibility for our actions. Clyde and I have both crawled away from disasters that we may or may not have created. And yes we are both fairly health still. Changed, but within a few percent of where we started.No one can understand the pain you are going through because of your son’s injuries. I am sorry your son was injured. This blog was not meant to demean you or your son or to make light of his injuries, pain or suffering or your pain, suffering and loss.The issue you point out is at what point are we responsible for ourselves. At what point do we believe that someone else is responsible for our actions.If your statement that the YMCA is untouchable under any circumstances means the release your son signed prevents him from suing that was a decision your son made. That is another issue this blog is written to answer. When you sign a release you give up your right to sue. You make the choice to undertake the activity or not undertake the activity. If you undertake the activity you are 100% responsible for any injuries you may receive.Many people in the US believe those releases are not effective, that they do not prevent claims or lawsuits. This blogs wants everyone to know that is not the case. I’m sorry you and/or your son, if that is the case, did not know and understand that.As far as fault goes, I do not have access to the information to make that determination. A person on a climbing wall is close to 60% in the hands of the climbing wall builder and manager. Another 10 to 20% lies in the hand of the belayer or auto-belay device. Little is left to the control of the climber. However any injury on a climbing wall is usually a combination of factors and actors so that determining fault is difficult to impossible. Juries when left to the task of determining who is at fault, when no one is easily identifiable, will identify with the injured person. Subsequently, fault maybe assigned where none should be. Hence, releases.Thus the reason for a release, if you sign one you give up the right to make the argument.Again, I’m sorry your son is hurt. I hope he recovers from his injuries and is able to live a long and happy life.
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My name is Paul Hopfenbeck.I am Curtis’ father and biggest fan. I’m glad you “like” how I insist it wasn’t Curtis’ fault.This was based on information supplied by YMCA personnel(the night of, and day after the accident) who were present at the time. How would you feel if this was your son, 21 years old w/ great things to look forward to, and was severly injured in an accident that could have been prevented w/ a little consciencious daily maintenance and better supervision. Don’t let the “nice facility” fool you into thinking that novice climbers weren’t in danger when inexperienced personnel and inadequate safety procedures were the norm, instead of the exception. The unfortune part is that the YMCA is untouchable under any circumstance. Believe me, alot has changed since my son’s accident. It’s too bad my son’s back had to be the proving ground. The fact is, when our children walk into a “Y”, anything that happens there, including drowning, scaulding, slipping on wet walks that don’t have non-skid surfaces in place, etc…, is YOUR problem. Yeah, it’s a nice wall, but my son’s life is forever changed, and you Clyde, might think this is interesting and entertaining, but put yourself in my son’s hospital bed with 2 14″ bars, a handful of screws and a dozen clips in YOUR back. No recreation, no vacations, no college, no get-togethers with friends, no romance, no activity, no job-just two long years of surgeries and rehabilitation w/ no clear picture of what the future holds physically or financially. You don’t have a clue what the impact has been on all of us. Clyde, you ever lay awake at night praying that your son will recover, knowing that he will never get this time back, and hoping that you don’t lose your house trying to take care of him? From our perspective, if the “Y” is at fault, the “Y” should be held responsible-for anyone!I’m sure glad this site has kept you entertained.Curtis’ Dad
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So far no clue who the “expert” investigator is. However that usually guaranty’s a lawsuit. The biggest payouts in outdoor recreation occurred after outside expert investigations: Ptarmigan Peak and Hood River as examples.
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Just found an update in today’s paper…lawsuit is pending.http://www.mtexpress.com/index2.php?ID=2005119484
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This YMCA facility and the wall just opened a couple months ago. We checked it out in December and it’s a very nice wall. All of the gear they’re using is practically new so it will be interesting to see what they find out. Any idea who the “climbing expert” is? I like how the dad automatically insists it wasn’t his sons fault.
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