When Rock Climbers Plunge to Their Deaths | Rock Climbing Gone Wrong

Rock climbing might seem like a niche sport, but it’s growing fast. Over 7.7 million people now participate in the U.S., and gyms across the country are opening at a record pace. But with that growth comes risk. Each year, an estimated 20 to 50 climbers die in North America alone. One-third of all reported accidents happen on the way down, not up. Descent mistakes, rappel errors, and unroped climbs are leading causes. How do skilled climbers—with the right gear and the right judgment—still end up falling to their deaths?