Initially, the ascent is merely a little slower than the first time he climbed at the middle. He has to go a little slower to secure his grip on the rock against the two forces of gravity and the strong air currents. He can account for that with some careful searching for better holds. What he failed to anticipate is the sudden strength in the rushing air at the switch to inhalation. Between the strength of the reversal and the surprise of it, he is yanked free from the cavern wall. He has no claws to bite with into the stone.

Scrambling to catch another hold during his drop, he manages to briefly snag a spot with one hand to decelerate the fall. The yank at his shoulder is absorbed mostly by his muscles, and reorients his position for impact along one side. When he lands, he lands with a solid thud. It knocks the air out of him, and stuns him.

...ow.

Flashlight still functioning but cracked beside him, he rolls onto his back with teeth gritted to gather his wits about him. Now painfully aware of his mistake, he realizes he will have to back trek a ways to try again. Once he lies still for a minute to wait and see if anything is broken.