Bill Lundeen

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Jerry Dodrill

climber
Bodega, CA
Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 22, 2006 - 02:13am PT
Any of you guys know him? Bill has worked at Tioga Pass Resort for a couple years and has roots in Tuscon. He's a great guy and gentle soul, strong climber and skier. Apparently he was skiing Ellery Bowl over the weekend, broke a cornice, and rode the ensuing avalanche down the bowl. He crawled to the road and was picked up by a TPR snowmobile. He's all busted up, legs, ribs, lung, etc. and is in Mammoth ICU. I don't have specific details. Keep him in your thoughts/prayers and maybe stick your head in to say hello. I think he'll be recovering at his brother's house in Sonora. (Hope he doesn't mind this post.)

-JD
Larry

Trad climber
Reno NV
Mar 22, 2006 - 09:03am PT
Holy sh!t! Yeah, I know Bill. Thanks for the news. I rode out an avalanche one time too, but I was only buried.
mtnyoung

Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
Mar 22, 2006 - 10:26pm PT
Bill is in a very complex shoulder surgery right now (seven hours already). His shoulder is very badly damaged (as are his knees, eight broken ribs and lots of smaller stuff). He's been doped up a lot. He's uninsured. His sister has set up an account into which donations can be placed. Details will be posted here when they are availible. He's going to need some financial help from the climbing community to get through this.
Jerry Dodrill

climber
Bodega, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 22, 2006 - 10:30pm PT
Thanks for the update Brad. I'll help out as much as I can.
Jerry Dodrill

climber
Bodega, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 23, 2006 - 01:12pm PT
Thanks Martha. You probably know Bill's brother Jim Lundeen from Sonora.

I'm thinking about fundraising options. I don't have much cash, but have lots of framed art. Jim is a fine photographer as well. Surely others would donate something? I'm sure we could get some sort of benefit art show/auction going.
10b4me

Ice climber
The Happies
Mar 23, 2006 - 09:27pm PT
Don't know him but, willing to chip in.
mtnyoung

Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
Mar 23, 2006 - 10:11pm PT
Shoulder surgery took 9 hours total. There were so many broken bones that the surrounding soft tissues were essentially shredded. Bones are wired together and the shoulder must remain immobile for 6 weeks. If the bones are healed by then he can start with some movement. Both knees need MRIs, with both showing obvious signs of serious ligament damage. Probable additional surgeries. Still, he walked today, with help and on serious pain meds. Bill's a great guy. Peaceful, philosophic to a fault, very non-materialistic. Always made great coffee on our trips to Josh.
Jerry Dodrill

climber
Bodega, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 24, 2006 - 01:19am PT
Thanks for the update. I haven't gotten ahold of Jim. Do you know if he is getting his messages? His phone was dead a few days ago.

This is all quite troubling. Are there any surgeons on this site willing to work for good Karma? We're brainstorming ideas for a fundraiser. All input welcome...

Thanks 10b4me.
Jerry Dodrill

climber
Bodega, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 24, 2006 - 03:13pm PT
Bill is out of ICU, as of last night, and was relieved to get the catheter removed. The hospital bill is getting huge. It' going to be a long recovery time and will not likely be 100%. I can't believe he was able to weight those legs.

Sounds like the cornice was huge. Jim said he wasn't even close to the edge when it collapsed under him.
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
one pass away from the big ditch
Mar 25, 2006 - 12:23am PT
whoa!

I'm in.

BY, let me know and I can post the info on the SPH site as well.

heal fast bill!
Hootervillian

climber
the Hooterville World-Guardian
Mar 25, 2006 - 12:36am PT
i don't know him, but that shouldn't matter. i've rolled similiar dice.
i've got a little, is there an address/account setup?
Jerry Dodrill

climber
Bodega, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 25, 2006 - 01:03pm PT
Jim and/or Bill are going to give the whole story shortly, and where to send our support. Standby.
jaminjimi

climber
Sonora, CA
Mar 26, 2006 - 12:46am PT
THANK YOU each for the response. It has been very encouraging to see people's interest in helping out. Bill has been improving beyond the optimism of anyone involved in his care here at Mammoth Hospital.

On Saturday Bill was skinning along the edge of the Dana Plateau above Ellery Bowl, by himself, and fully aware of the huge cornices that have built up from numerous recent storms. He was above the Chute-out Couloir when the cornice released with him on top, despite having been some distance back from the edge. After riding the slide to the bottom of the chute(which he'll need to tell you about over a Margarita sometime...), he found himself suddenly out from under the weight of the snow and ice just after it had slowed to a crawl. He used his left arm, the one functioning limb, to get himself the rest of the way down to the road a few hours later. He was thankfully found by Brian who had come out looking for him on the snowmobile, before dark.

The TPR crew got him down the mountain and to Mammoth Hospital where he has been treated for the past week with 8 broken ribs with a punctured lung (hemo/pneumothorax), several right leg (fibular) fractures, multiple knee ligaments torn, and a shattered right shoulder blade which was repaired surgically. He is still in need of further MRI's and probable knee surgery, which will come later. Now he is past the most critical part and should be discharged from the hospital tomorrow. True to form, my big brother has dealt with this with a flexible attitude and even laughs when he's been coherant, though laughing with 8 broken ribs doesn't seem to be so very comfortable...

An account has been set up to help defray the extensive hospital and surgical bills that will be continuing to add up for the next few months. For anyone willing and able to help out, here is how to do it:

Make check payable to: Tucson Federal Credit Union
on reference line include: acct #55407-2, Bill Lundeen
PO Box 42435
Tucson, AZ 85733

Thank you to all who send their encouragement, support, and positive energy, and to those who are able to help with the finances. He will be staying in Sonora for at least the next month or so, and you can contact him at bildeen@hotmail.com.
WBraun

climber
Mar 26, 2006 - 01:06am PT
Yikes! That sounds like a pain full ordeal. Must have been a powerful avalanche of snow from that cornice.

That's what makes people great, guys like Brian keeping an eye out for others.

In a city environment you can be run over by a car, laying in the gutter and the world may pass you by not wanting to get involved.
Jerry Dodrill

climber
Bodega, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 26, 2006 - 03:44am PT
Thanks for the whole story Jim. I'm amazed he's alive, and second what Werner said 'bout Brian. We'll have to buy him a round.
bob d'antonio

Trad climber
boulder, co
Mar 26, 2006 - 01:36pm PT
Don't know him but I would be willing to donate some of my guidebooks, a framed photograph or some cash. Hope that he makes a quick recovery.

Later, Bob
Jerry Dodrill

climber
Bodega, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 29, 2006 - 04:31pm PT
Bill and Jim are back in Sonora now. Jim's playing doc and keeping Bill going, but also working, dealing with personal stuff, and trying to spend time with his three kids. Our support is still needed. We're starting work on a fundraiser to help with expenses. Probably in Bishop, in about six weeks. If you can help out now, please send your checks to the fund listed in Jim's post above. Thanks for your support.

-JD
malabarista

Trad climber
San Francisco, Ca
Mar 29, 2006 - 08:25pm PT
Can anyone post a photo? His name rings a bell, but I can't place it. I lived in Tu-stoned from 1992-1997.
Larry

Trad climber
Reno NV
Mar 30, 2006 - 11:51pm PT
I don't have any photos, but Bill's a skinny guy, not real tall. A big smile that you'll see a lot. As long as I've known him, he's had long straight hair, a ponytail.

The check's in the mail, Bill.
Jerry Dodrill

climber
Bodega, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 31, 2006 - 01:49pm PT
Looking for a photo. Jim has a bunch, but no scanner.

If you've stopped at TPR in the last couple years, Bill was the friendly guy with the big smile, glasses, often worked the register. Not sure what he did in Tuscon.
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