3 Shocking Stories of the Most Miraculous Climbing Fall Survivors

Rock climbing accidents can be deadly, but some climbers defy the odds in ways that seem almost impossible. These fall survivors faced terrifying drops from towering cliffs, yet lived to tell the tale. Their stories aren’t just about survival but also about the human spirit, resilience, and sometimes, sheer luck. 

1. Joe Simpson: The Man Who Crawled to Survival

Joe Simpson’s story is one of the most famous survival tales in mountain climbing history. In 1985, while descending the treacherous Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes, he suffered a devastating fall, shattering his leg. With a vertical gain of 6,344m, this is one of the toughest climbs in Peru. 

His climbing partner, Simon Yates, attempted to lower him down the mountain using a rope, but after hours of struggling, he was forced to make an unthinkable decision — cut the rope to save himself. Simpson plummeted into a deep crevasse, presumed dead. But against all odds, he survived. 

Alone, dehydrated and in unimaginable pain, Simpson refused to give up. He crawled for three days through the icy wilderness, dragging himself inch by inch back to base camp. Just as Yates was preparing to leave, Simpson arrived — barely alive but victorious. His survival was so miraculous that it became the subject of the book and documentary Touching the Void cementing his place in history as one of the most astonishing fall survivors. 

What makes Simpson’s survival even more remarkable is the sheer mental and physical endurance he displayed. With a broken leg and no food, he had to navigate dangerous crevasses, sheer drops and unpredictable weather. At one point, he was completely lost, disoriented by pain and exhaustion, but he pushed forward, driven by a will to live that most people can’t even comprehend.

Even after such a horrific experience, Simpson didn’t turn his back on mountain climbing. He continued to explore, write and speak about his survival, using his story to inspire climbers and adventurers worldwide. His experience remains a powerful reminder of the dangers of climbing accidents and the extraordinary strength of the human spirit. 

2. Coral Bowman: The Free-Fall That Nearly Ended in Disaster

Colorado is a popular place to ice climb, with destinations like Ouray Ice Park. However, it’s popular for climbers year-round. In the late 1970s, Coral Bowman was one of Colorado’s most skilled female climbers, pushing boundaries in a male-dominated sport. 

On September 12, 1978, she set out with her climbing partner, Sue Giller, to complete the first all-women ascent of The Naked Edge, a challenging 5.11 route in Eldorado Canyon. The two made strong progress, but partway through the climb, their haul rope became stuck below Bowman’s belay ledge. To fix the problem, she decided to rappel down and free the jammed rope.

But in her rush to set up the rappel, Bowman made a critical mistake. She didn’t reverse the gates on the carabiners that secured her rope to the anchor. As Bowman leaned back, the sling pushed the carabiners open, and the rope suddenly popped free. She plunged into open air, free-falling toward the ground nearly 300 feet below. In those few seconds, she thought of her friends watching from below, of how quickly everything had gone wrong.

Then, instinct took over. As she fell, she reached out and grabbed the haul rope with both hands. The friction burned her palms and fingers horribly, but it slowed her fall just enough to stop her descent. With her hands already seizing up from the pain, she managed to wrap the rope around her leg to take the strain off her grip. 

In a final act of composure, she inserted the rope into her belay device and lowered herself to a secure anchor. Giller helped get her to the ground, where she was rushed to the hospital, deeply shaken but miraculously alive.

Bowman’s near-tragedy remains a stark reminder of how even the most experienced climbers can make fatal mistakes when distracted or rushed. Fortunately, having a climbing partner can help provide support and seek help during challenges. She has been preoccupied with personal issues and worried about an incoming storm, factors that clouded her judgment. Her survival was pure instinct and luck, but her story serves as a crucial lesson. In rock climbing accidents, small errors can be deadly, and double-checking safety systems is never optional. 

3. Amber Kohnhorst: The Harrowing 28-Hour Solo Ordeal

Amber Kohnhorst set out on a solo hike near Zion National Park, eager to explore the desert terrain during her stay in Cane Beds, Arizona. Despite her mother’s warning never to hike alone, she couldn’t resist the adventure. Reaching the summit of a sandstone bluff, she was exhilarated — until she realized she couldn’t downclimb the way she’d come. As she searched for an alternate route, she lost her footing and fell.

When she regained consciousness an hour later, she was severely injured, lying in a pool of her own blood at the base of a canyon with no cell service and only a small survival kit. As night fell, she battled intense pain, cold temperatures and hallucinations, desperately blowing her whistle in hopes someone would hear. This is why it’s so important to pack layers and weather-appropriate gear during cooler months. 

The next morning, she attempted to climb out but was blocked by a sheer 30-foot drop. With dwindling strength, she resigned herself to the possibility that she might not survive.

Just as despair set in, she heard the sound of a helicopter. Though it initially struggled to locate her, a rescuer finally spotted her just before sunset. The rescue itself was grueling — after hours of attempts, she had to assist in climbing out despite her injuries. Eventually, she was airlifted to safety and taken to the hospital, where she was treated for multiple fractures and a severe concussion.

Kohnhorst later reflected on her experience with gratitude, acknowledging the importance of preparation and the risks of solo hiking. Despite the trauma, she remains determined to return to the desert — this time, with a better plan.

A Testament to Human Resilience 

These miraculous fall survivors prove that sometimes, fat has other plans. Whether it’s a stroke of luck, the right gear or sheer willpower, these climbers overcame some of the worst rock climbing accidents. Their stories are both a cautionary tale and an inspiration — serving as a reminder of the risks of mountain climbing and the incredible power of survival.