On July 1, 2019 a satellite emergency notification device was activated from about 13200′ on the ridge between Mt. Darwin and Peak 13332, on the technical Evolution Traverse. A party of 4 were climbing the route and rappelling a technical section when the weathered single-piece fixed anchor failed, causing one rappelling climber to fall about 40′. He briefly lost consciousness and sustained serious foot and shoulder trauma. Due to high winds and approaching darkness a rescue of the fallen climber was not possible that night.
On the morning of July 2, CHP – Inland Division Air Operations, along with one Inyo SAR member, hoisted the injured climber at 13200′ from steep vertical terrain. The climber was transported to the hospital in Bishop, CA, and the Inyo SAR member was flown out. The remaining climbing party continued their climb of the Evolution Traverse.
