Routefinding errors contributed to 20% of climbing accidents in 2009. Jesse Mattner staying on route on The Scenic Cruise (V 5.10+) in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
Each year, the American Alpine Club publishes the one book that no one wants to be in—Accidents in North American Mountaineering. Inside its pages is everything from the most mellow of injuries to horrible accidents that ended in death. The reason that the American Alpine Club publishes such a depressing book every year is so climbers have the opportunity to learn from others’ mistakes. In the 2010 edition, which covers the 2009 season, there were a total of 126 accidents that made the book. Of these accidents, there were 10 things that stuck out as contributing factors.