Rock climbing rescues in Boulder accounted for 428 of a total of 2198 (19.5%) mountain
and wilderness rescue victims. Most rock climbing victims were male (78%), and 46% of victims were
between the ages of 20 and 29 years; most rock climbing incidents occurred on weekend days (median
time of 3:30 PM) during the spring, summer, and autumn. Technical roped climbers accounted for 58%
of climbing victims, whereas unroped climbers accounted for 34%. Belay incidents accounted for 12%
of climbing victims, whereas rock fall incidents accounted for 4.5% of victims. Most victims were
uninjured (43% stranded or lost), whereas lower extremity injuries were the most common injury
(29.5% of injured victims). A total of 5.5% of climbing victims were fatally injured (23 victims: 5 from
lead falls and 9 from unroped falls).