Rock climber survives 20-foot fall

BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON, Utah (ABC 4 News) - A rock climber survived a 20-foot fall with only bumps and bruises in the storm mountain picnic area of Big Cottonwood Canyon, which is about four or five miles from the Canyon's mouth.  

The victim is either 21 or 22-years-old from the Salt Lake Valley area.  He was climbing with friends when he fell.  Witnesses say the victim's fall was cushioned by a rock outcropping about half way down the all.  It slowed his acceleration to the ground and likely provided the slow down he needed to avoid a more serious injury. 

He was also wrapped in climbing gear including rope, which may have also shielded the victim from scrapes during the fall. 

A heavy rescue team with the Unified Fire Department rescued the victim.  Investigators say the man could have fallen because of inexperience.  Preliminary facts point to a problem with the person who was holding the victim's rock climbing rope. 

Stay turned to ABC 4 at 10:00 p.m. for more details about this story.