FatalityOutcome: FatalFall

Fatality — Mount Washington, Feb 10, 2019

Feb 10, 2019·Mount Washington·Central Gully approach / Huntington Ravine (the Fan boulder field)

Jeremy Ullmann, 37, of Somerville, Massachusetts (experienced rock climber but novice ice climber; neuroscientist at Boston Children's Hospital) · party of 2

Per the Mount Washington Avalanche Center accident analysis, Ullmann 'fell on the steep, icy snow surface on the approach to Central Gully and slid approximately 300 feet' into the boulder field known as the Fan. Snow ranger Frank Carus told NHPR: 'The scratches on the snow indicate that he made an attempt to arrest. He had two ice axes, one of which dragged quite well through the snow for a long distance.' Reported overdue at about 4:45 p.m., his body was found around 7:45 p.m. He was the 160th person to die on Mount Washington per Conway Daily Sun.

What we can learn

The Avalanche Center noted self-arrest was very difficult in the hard, icy conditions (formed by preceding warm temperatures and rain) and that avoiding a fall in the first place is paramount.

Contributing factors

SoloNovice in winter terrain

Part of the WMNF Hiker Incident Database. Every entry cites a primary or near-primary source; details are refined as the record is reviewed.

Other recorded incidents on Mount Washington