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patto
Jun 28, 2011, 12:46 PM
Post #2 of 6
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Registered: Nov 15, 2005
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Phil, quoted in the article, is a regular poster and moderator here.
http://www.rockclimbing.com/...gi?username=philbox;
More information here including comments from Phil.
http://queenslandclimbing.yuku.com/...as-Clint-is-missing-
Tragic accident. RIP 
Clint Westbrook, who plunged to his death while abseiling down a southeast Queensland cliff face, has been described as an adventurous free spirit.
The 34-year-old Toowoomba roofing plumber's body was found today alongside a broken rope on Mount Greville.
He had been missing for five days in the Moogerah Peaks National Park, near Boonah, southwest of Brisbane.
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It is believed his rope broke as he was abseiling down a cliff face on the northern side of the mountain. A post mortem examination is expected to reveal when he died.
Mr Westbrook's death is the second climbing fatality in as many weeks in Queensland.
Fellow climber Phil Box, who joined the search party for his close friend and co-worker this morning, described Mr Westbrook as an experienced ‘‘extreme climber’’.
‘‘He was a friendly bloke, who was always willing to lend a helping hand,’’ Mr Box said, adding that the avid climber would be sorely missed in the close climbing fraternity.
Friends today paid tribute to Mr Westbrook on an online climbing forum.
‘‘Free spirit, dirt bagger, drifter, gypsy, adventurer. Just the way I like them,’’ his friend John wrote.
Another friend, Mike, wrote: ‘‘Clint was a great guy and always had an upbeat attitude about life.’’
It is understood Mr Westbrook was working on installing anchor points on a new climbing route on the mountain when he fell.
Search crews in a rescue helicopter spotted his climbing ropes at the top of the cliff face yesterday, but there was no sign of the climber.
Mr Westbrook, an experienced hiker and climber, had been climbing alone and camping in his car at nearby Mount French since Thursday.
Friends and family alerted police on Saturday when he did not return home.
His body was found shortly after 10am today.
On June 18, another well-known Brisbane climber of 20 years' experience, Ross Miller, slipped and fell 50 metres to his death while leading a group of climbers, including his wife, up the south face of Mt Lindsay.
The four rescued climbers reportedly told police Mr Miller had free climbed up the cliff face to a ledge before guiding them up to him with a rope.
After the last of the climbers reached the ledge, Mr Miller pulled up the rope and went to rejoin the group, but slipped and fell as he turned.
Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/rock-climber-dies-after-rope-breaks-20110628-1goa2.html#ixzz1QZfTTZ1z
Early speculation:
Fixed rope rubbing on sharp edge for extended period.
(This post was edited by patto on Jun 28, 2011, 12:57 PM)
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alleyehave
Jun 29, 2011, 4:15 PM
Post #3 of 6
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Registered: Nov 13, 2005
Posts: 461
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patto wrote: Early speculation: Fixed rope rubbing on sharp edge for extended period.
Was my immediate thought. You can never stress this enough, especially with the popularity of 'skinny ropes' today.
http://rockandice.com/rope
I'd like to know if this was indeed the cause.
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kachoong
Jun 29, 2011, 4:53 PM
Post #4 of 6
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Registered: Jan 23, 2004
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OMG! I feel sick reading this... not Clint!? This is such horrible news.
Having lived in Toowoomba and being good friends with Phil I knew Clint. It saddens me deeply to know a great guy is gone.
RIP Clint... your great spirit will stay alive!!
(This post was edited by kachoong on Jun 29, 2011, 4:54 PM)
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gunkiemike
Jul 17, 2011, 12:52 AM
Post #5 of 6
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Registered: Oct 1, 2002
Posts: 2266
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Update??
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moose_droppings
Jul 17, 2011, 1:41 AM
Post #6 of 6
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Registered: Jun 7, 2005
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My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
To the mods from here that knew him well,
I'm so sorry for your loss of a good friend.
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