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nutjob
climber
Berkeley, CA
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Topic Author's Original Post - Sep 17, 2009 - 07:49pm PT
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It is hard.
At the end of a trip, no matter how much I looked forward to it, the allure of being in bed back home is strong. If not that, then it's the pull of family or work commitments, trying to squeeze an ambitious trip into an insufficient timeslot, trying to reach the base at the end of a crazy week of working, etc.
I can't think of how many times I have made questionable judgment calls... after the first time doing Northeast Buttress of Higher Cathedral, my buddy Ritwik and I were trading off drivers every 15 minutes so we could catch a little sleep. I knew my driving turn was over whenever the yellow double lines curled up into smoky wisps that floated off the road. How many times have I jerked my head up and inhaled sharply with a quick correction of the steering wheel? Not good.
Maybe I've turned a corner. My last trip back from Yosemite was a test. After a night of 5 hours of sleep, and 18 hours of flailing for the Harding Route of Conness, I left Sawmill Campground at 9:45pm or so. I've had far gnarlier sounding enduro-pushes, but the fact is my body was near the limit on this particular one. I was completely exhausted, but I was also motivated because Highway 120 had just opened up through the park after being closed for fires. At the start of the drive, I thought I might bivy at one of the usual spots outside the 120 entrance to the park on the west/north side. When I got there, the air was too smokey and I feared waking in the night to flames licking me. I'm sure the fears were unfounded, but the air was uncomfortable to breathe.
By that point, I was fighting for every minute of consciousness, windows down, music cranked, even singing out loud and yelling in an effort to stay conscious. Not more than a half hour later I realized I was weaving over the middle lane at least every minute. I broke down and accepted something that I had never accepted before. I just couldn't handle driving any more. I turned off on a no-name road well past the usual bivy spots, eased the driver seat back as flat as it would go, unpacked some of my sleeping bag to use as a pillow, and turned off the car. Within a few minutes I must have been sleeping, and was out for the next 3 hours. I woke up some time around 2:30am, still feeling very tired but no longer in that danger-zone of uncontrollably losing consciousness.
I made it the next 3 hours home with some trepidation, lane-swerving, and startled jerks. Hmmm.
I started writing this as a sort of self-praise for "becoming mature" to respect my limits and being more safe with driving, but it appears I should be chastising myself some more and making a public statement to "quit while I'm ahead" with those silly driving antics.
So. I hereby pledge to be reasonable with driving... most significantly: if I'm solo on a late night drive back from Yosemite after a big day, LISTEN TO MY BODY and respect it's needs. Try to arrange carpooling (which I mostly do anyways) and then you can tag-team the steering wheel if necessary. Or better yet, just enjoy one more pleasant night out under the stars if possible, and get an early start the next morning.
I know I'm not alone here folks... serious issue with serious consequences that doesn't get much group attention. It's the elephant in the room of weekend warriors, casually dismissed as "the crux of the route is the drive home."
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Sep 17, 2009 - 07:56pm PT
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here here, all in favor say aye.
I too have learned this lesson. It's not easy, but it's better than the alternative.
I've lately tried to keep a handy jetboil and coffee ready. Takes literally 3 minutes to make a cup of coffee and that keeps me going for at least an hour til I can get out of the park.
Doesn't stop the rangers from harassing you... "you know you can't camp here" ... 'well duh, I just don't want to die inside your park so I'm making coffee.'
one reason the OB camping rule is dangerous in it's implementation.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Sep 17, 2009 - 08:14pm PT
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PULL OVER!!!! In 1962, the Summer after my freshman year in college, I fell asleep at the wheel, my best friend was killed instantly and another friend died two days later. The last thing I remember is rolling down the window to get some air- the others were asleep. PLEASE, pull over and get some rest.
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Lambone
Ice climber
Ashland, Or
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Sep 17, 2009 - 08:34pm PT
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^^^^Donini, that really sucks man, I am sorry to hear that.
One weekend we drove 8 hrs to the Valley, did Leaning Tower in a push, slept about 2hrs in the early am, then drove 8 hrs home.
I woke up on the wrong side of main street in my home town headed for a light pole at 3am. was a close call but I made it.
Next time I bivi.
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pud
climber
Sportbikeville
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Sep 17, 2009 - 08:36pm PT
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Sorry for your loss donini.
What a terrible burden for a young man to carry.
I fell asleep once on the I-5 North of Shasta but woke up for some reason before I wrecked. Never under 70mph the whole time.
I had two passengers asleep in the rear that never new the difference. I was 19 at the time but learned a valuable lesson. Since then, I always pull over at the slightest doubt.
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nutjob
climber
Berkeley, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 17, 2009 - 08:38pm PT
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Thanks Jim... I don't think any passage of time would make that experience easy to share.
Poor judgment prevails when we are in denial of our real physical limits and the consequences of failure.
I am arming myself with your story, and whatever others surface, to create a more emotional and visceral experience to inform my judgment, so that I can be stronger in the critical moments.
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valygrl
climber
Boulder, CO
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Sep 17, 2009 - 08:44pm PT
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Donini, that is awful. I'm so sorry.
Some of you may remember the thread about Tacos, a friend in the climbing community, who wrecked her car in Wyoming this summer.
She fell asleep at the wheel.
Broke her neck. Spinal cord injury.
Last I heard, she was still in the hospital, but making some progress.
Take care, everyone.
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Jingy
Social climber
Flatland, Ca
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Sep 17, 2009 - 09:34pm PT
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Nutjob - same sorta thing happened to me on the way back from the Fish Compound last year..
I had plenty of rest, was fed, and the our was approx 3:30 PM or so....
Got to about Barstow area and started needing more sleep. Along that highway between Barstow and Bakersfield.. had the usual symptoms, nodding, spontaneous lane changes, blurry vision, lack of concentration on the great music I had blaring in an attempt to stay alert... Got to the point that I just pulled off the side of the road (big pull outs out there) and just took a 40 minute nap. Set my alarm, and nodded off in the passenger seat of my rabbit.
I remember at some point wondering what that low hum was, and thought I had saw a police car pulling away. After the nap I got out and checked the ground (I watch way too much CSI) and found that indeed, I was not dreaming, a car had pulled up beside my car, waited, then moved on.
Made it back safe and sound. The head hit the pillow and before I knew it, it was time to get up and go to work....
Since then, any time I have a long way to go, and I start to fee the slightest bit groggy, I will just find a pull out and take a 20-40 min nap, regardless of the consequences... because the consequences for not doing so may be devastating for anyone who feels anything for me... (no consequences for me... I'd be dead, right?)
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Sep 17, 2009 - 09:44pm PT
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Nutjob,
Thanks for the thread, the idea never occurred to me. Climbers are more prone to sleepy driving than most. They're passionate and sure of their abilities and most climb on weekends and live far away from the best venues.
Driving long distances to high altitude and then prolonged physical activity followed by a long drive home is an invitation to disaster.
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apogee
climber
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Sep 17, 2009 - 10:28pm PT
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Great topic.
Jingy's advice is spot on- a 20 minute catnap (or two, or three) works wonders, and will allow you to keep moving.
You might get there a bit later than you planned, but it is far better than a permanent dirt nap.
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AbeFrohman
Trad climber
new york, NY
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Sep 17, 2009 - 10:37pm PT
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good lord people, y'all never heard of RED BULL?
i used to nod BAD. ruuuuuuuuuuuuuuumble strips saved me MANY times.
nowadays, if its light out im fine. if its approaching dusk though, a 16oz redbull gets me where i need to go. pound 1/3 to start, and sip the rest. the shizz is VILE. YECH. but it works.
YMMV.
i once consciously closed my eyes while driving. i said to myself "this road is straight, i can close my eyes for a minute."
i popped awake a milisecond later, pulled off at the next exit and slept for an hour.
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drljefe
climber
Old Pueblo, AZ
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Sep 17, 2009 - 10:40pm PT
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So many enduro drives over the years.
Never nodded, ever.
Just dealt with one last sunday after hours of pumping surf and sun.
Just getting out of the rig and focusing on sh#t that ain't movin 80 miles an hour helped.
I'm with Khanom- noisy and or challenging vehicles help.
Coffee cigs Dead redbull open windows doses-
I usually plan my drives into daylight instead of nightfall.
Donini- sorry man.
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johntp
Trad climber
socal
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Sep 17, 2009 - 10:54pm PT
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When I was 23 (1983) I drove solo in January from Dallas to JT on my way to LA, non-stop other than getting gas. Whenever I got drifty I'd start sticking my head out the window and slapping my face to stay awake. Sutpid!
I will never forget the next morning coming down the 62 towards Palm Springs and staring at the north face of San Jacinto in all it's morning light. That was a high snow year and I was amazed that a face like that could exist in SoCal. It looked alpine.
Sweet! But I was lucky to have made it that far without falling asleep behind the wheel.
Edit: when I was 17 I fell asleep at the wheel outside of Amarillo on a solo x-c ski trip from Dallas to Northern NM. Rolled my Subie three times and got thrown out the windshield when I hit a divider. Fun times I do not want to repeat.
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Dr.Sprock
Boulder climber
Sprocketville
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Sep 17, 2009 - 11:07pm PT
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YEAH, RED BULL.
SIMPLE.
or rockstar.
i drank 4 cans of the rockstar, i was awake, but then,
ROAD RAGE!
so keep some reefer to take the edge off.
if you are a beer drinker, you just need more beer to get you home.
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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Sep 17, 2009 - 11:07pm PT
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donini, I hope you talked to Bachar about his accident. Dude felt too much grief, pain, guilt and loss. It never left him.
I hurt much for your experience. Dan rolled and pancaked a car in his teens. He was fortunate his brother and two best friends survived.
I think part of this question is personality and a persons physical, mental and chemical make up. I could never sleep even being a passenger. Felt very real co pilot responsibilites.
Worst trip, Driving home from Chico. So Burnt. All the windows down in the van, stereo Blasting and told my 15 year old son, may have to sleep in a ditch tonight if the noise and elements don't work.
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rockermike
Mountain climber
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Sep 17, 2009 - 11:16pm PT
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good topic;
I think we have even had a few "sleeping at the wheel" accidents in our own taco community over the last few years. sad and dangerous
When I was 10 or so (1964?), there was a wonderful family in our neighborhood. In addition to being great people they were climbers. coming back late from a weekend climbing trip the mom fell asleep at the wheel and drove off the road. father and five year old daughter were killed. Mom mangled. Really shocking event for a child (referring to myself).
I have to admit I have a really strong tendency to fall asleep driving myself. I'm sometimes amazed I haven't had an accident yet; I guess my guardian angle has been working overtime. I drive a van with a bed in the back. As much as I can discipline myself I now pull over and climb in back to sleep; The problem is the bed is so comfy I usually don't wake up until early morning. But I'm fresh for the rest of the drive home.
I also carry a can of coke or starbucks in my glove box if I need a little hit of caffeine late at night.
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Greg Barnes
climber
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Sep 17, 2009 - 11:23pm PT
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Pull off and sleep a bit!
That's also how eastside climbing legend Smoke Blanchard died - late at night driving home on 395, after a long flight back into the US from one of his frequent trekking trips to Japan.
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adatesman
Trad climber
philadelphia, pa
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Sep 17, 2009 - 11:26pm PT
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Going home from a party once in high school I swear to God, there was a 15 foot tall fat woman in spandex jogging down the center of the interstate. Mind you the drugs/alcohol thing didn't occur to me until many years later; this was entirely due to having been awake 40+ hours. Ever since then I either pull over and nap or pass the driving on to someone else.
On a side note, pulling over can lead to good times... Like when I woke up to a horrible thumping sound only to find a Chinook helicopter hovering 50' above the car. Since then I make a point of not napping near military bases....
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stevep
Boulder climber
Salt Lake, UT
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Sep 17, 2009 - 11:32pm PT
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In high school a friend and I both fell asleep at the same time while driving back from a late night party at Magic Mountain. Fortunately we were woken by bouncing along the shoulder before we hit the overpass abutment.
Bottom line. It's a bad idea.
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Beatrix Kiddo
Mountain climber
Littleton
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Sep 17, 2009 - 11:37pm PT
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None of those energy drinks do anything for me. I pulled over once with the intent to sleep for 10 minutes. I woke up 45 minutes later. My partner was still waiting for me. What a good dude. I used to drive tired. I'd try all kinds of tricks to stay awake. Now I pull over and nap. If I'm late, oh well, at least I'm not dead or anyone else for that matter.
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