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Jessie_11
Sport climber
Bishop, CA
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Topic Author's Original Post - Oct 17, 2010 - 01:41pm PT
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Does anybody know any details about yesterday's accident? We were down there climbing and heard this and that, but aren't sure of the details. Sure hope she's okay.
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climbingchristopher
Sport climber
San Francisco
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Oct 18, 2010 - 04:09am PT
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My friend and I were around the corner from the accident and arrived within a few minutes of the fall. A number of people came to her aid and we assisted as best we could to stabilize her. Me and one other guy ran to call 911 at the phone located at the power station, which was in working order and saved us from having to run up the middle gorge approach to get cell reception.
A young woman took a very long fall (57 meters or so) from the top of the 2nd pitch of a climb South of El Dorado roof ("Members only" at Staying Power Towers). After falling roughly 110 feet, her rope, which was running through the anchors, snagged briefly at the anchor and the sudden tension behind her leg flipped her upside down. This caused a brief pause in her fall, but then the rope popped free and she fell the remaining 50 feet to the ground, where she landed on her lower back. Fortunately she landed on a flat dirt area, free of rocks and debris.
It was obvious that moving her was going to be difficult given the amount of pain she was in and the questionable nature of her injuries. Fortunately, she didn't hit her head and her appendages were in good shape, although she might have injured her ankle. She was conscious the whole time and was able to communicate her condition. She was able to move her toes and had feeling in her legs so there was some relief amongst the people at the scene.
A climber/search & rescue guy helped out considerably by helping to get her into a litter and secured for transport. She was more or less ready for transport by the time that the paramedics and the fire crews arrived. The paramedics were able to monitor at the scene and the crew moved her into a truck and straight to the Bishop emergency room.
She was flown to Reno following scans and x-rays.
Apparently her injuries included a broken pelvis and some vertebrae. This could've been much worse considering the overall length of the fall and certainly the brief pause at +50' saved her. She was dealt a very fortunate hand. I haven't heard anything further regarding her status, but I'm hopeful that she'll make a full recovery.
Many climbers came to her aid and everyone involved should be commended. I'm proud to be part of such a supportive community.
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John Moosie
climber
Beautiful California
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Oct 18, 2010 - 04:19am PT
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Wow Christopher, thanks for the report. That is wonderful that her injuries weren't anymore severe. That sounds like a horrendous fall. If you hear more about her condition, please let us know. I want to keep good thoughts and prayers going her way.
John
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climbingchristopher
Sport climber
San Francisco
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Oct 18, 2010 - 04:24am PT
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She's been in our thoughts and I'm sure she'd appreciate to know that strangers in the community are praying for her recovery. I'll post an update if I hear anything further.
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hb81
climber
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Oct 18, 2010 - 04:27am PT
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Glad she is relatively ok... I wonder though how that fall happened?
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bjj
climber
beyond the sun
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Oct 18, 2010 - 04:34am PT
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Yea, how the hell does anyone fall that far at a clip up joint like ORG? A bad belayer f*#k up is the only thing I can imagine.
IIRC, there's litters in the gorge (been 10+ years since I been there).
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climbingchristopher
Sport climber
San Francisco
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Oct 18, 2010 - 04:54am PT
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That doesn't seem to be the case. She wasn't being belayed at the time. My understanding from talking with her partner was that she was supposed to rap down to the 1st pitch anchors, then pull the rope and rap again to the ground.
Somehow she became detached from the anchor before pulling the rope up and she fell. She's the only one who knows the details of how that occurred.
Accidents happen. It was a good opportunity for me and my partner to examine areas where we could be safer. Hopefully other climbers have similar conversations.
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Oct 18, 2010 - 04:54am PT
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hey there all, say... i will be chipping in my prayers.... glad to know she made it through that awful fall....
god bless, to her, this eve...
:)
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Oct 18, 2010 - 09:03am PT
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Holy buckets.
We're very lucky that she's alive after such a fall. Sounds like she has some experience?
At any rate, we're pulling for her here at the Taco, and hope she has a complete recovery.
Hang in there girl!
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Oct 18, 2010 - 09:47am PT
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Best wishes to her.
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Jessie_11
climber
Bishop, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 18, 2010 - 10:09am PT
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Chris,
Thanks so much for the update! You guys did a great job of caring for her, and sticking to that phone! We chatted with you a bit when you used the phone, and while you WAITED by the phone for what probably seemed like hours! Patience always pays off. Thank goodness this woman had some very good people to support her, and also some VERY good luck that day!
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chez
Social climber
chicago ill
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Oct 18, 2010 - 10:18am PT
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Sounds like this gal got very lucky. Hope she recovers fast.
bjj your an ass, go imagine somewhere else.
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Lambone
Ice climber
Ashland, Or
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Oct 18, 2010 - 11:09am PT
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Rappeling accidents are scary and too common! Double check your sh#t y'all!
Amazing she is alive.
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Chinchen
climber
Way out there....
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Oct 18, 2010 - 11:19am PT
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I may know the parties involved and am worried about who this may be. I have heard some roumors around town. One is that there was miscommunication and that the climber thought she was to be lowered...
Can someone PM the name of the climber who fell?
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Vulcan
Sport climber
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Oct 18, 2010 - 11:35am PT
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No names but is she from Mono or Inyo county???
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climbingchristopher
Sport climber
San Francisco
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Oct 18, 2010 - 12:08pm PT
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No, she's not from mono or inyo county.
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labrat
Trad climber
Nevada City, CA
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Oct 18, 2010 - 12:20pm PT
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Thinking good thoughts for a full recovery.
Erik
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426
climber
Buzzard Point, TN
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Oct 18, 2010 - 01:30pm PT
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Gnar, these days I always 3x check before, starting, and after, "are you sure you're going to rap?"
I also make sure rope is tight before I unclip, cuz I'm scared like that...often downclimbing to avoid the initial mini"drop"...
Best wishes on recovery
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hb81
climber
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Oct 18, 2010 - 04:26pm PT
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I also make sure rope is tight before I unclip
I've learned never ever to do otherwise. Always transfer your body weight onto the rappel device before unclipping from the anchor. Failing to do so is one of the main causes for rappeling accidents.
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couchmaster
climber
pdx
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Oct 18, 2010 - 09:04pm PT
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I'd rather wish her well than speculate how this came to be. We all can make mistakes, indeed, it's possible for this to happen to any of us with a slight moments inattention. Amazing that she's doing so well. Best of luck to continued recovery and health for this lucky girl in the future.
Remember though...life is already an eyeblink, and you probably used up 8 of your 9 lives with this one.
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ß Î Ø T Ç H
climber
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Oct 19, 2010 - 03:05am PT
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I'd rather wish her well... We all can make mistakes... You are out of your mind.
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Port
Trad climber
San Diego
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Oct 19, 2010 - 03:11am PT
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Wow, what a lucky person to be alive! Best wishes on a long journey to full health.
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Oct 19, 2010 - 09:40am PT
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You are out of your mind.
Hardly.
Woody Stark, JT pioneer, top of pitch accident.
Todd Skinner, rap accident.
John Harlin, Eiger accident.
John Bachar, Free solo.
Need I go on?
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Oct 19, 2010 - 10:06am PT
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More accurate to say that we all DO make mistakes. For most of us (so far anyway), they haven't cost us our life or a great injury. Best wishes to her. Her injuries sound awful and I'm thankful it wasn't worse.
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justthemaid
climber
Jim Henson's Basement
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Oct 19, 2010 - 10:09am PT
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Wow- it's miraculous she fell that far and survived. I sincerely wish her good recovery.
It's all speculation at this point but... It seems likely that she threaded just one rope through her device instead of two, or threaded them both and missed one strand when she locked the biner. Visually it looks OK till you weight it and it would explain the mid-fall pause as the rope whipped through the anchors.
Anyhow.. I'm happy she is still with us regardless of the circumstances.
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bobmarley
Trad climber
WAS Auburn CA, NOW Seattle WA
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Oct 19, 2010 - 05:15pm PT
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yo i was there too. me and T-bone ran over right after. we were at Mothership across the way. T's g-friend saw the entire fall! i think that there was a communication error and she thought she was going to be lowered to the first anchor (which is actually not possible because they had a 70 and the 2 pitches combined is like 55-60m. belayer thought she was going to rap the pitches. she leans back and is off-belay and falls the entire 160' only to be caught briefly when the rope snagged at 40' (saved her life) then she fell the 40' to the ground.
-patrick
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Oct 19, 2010 - 05:23pm PT
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All power too her. what a thing to survive! Pulling for a full recovery.
Mike Friedrichs (currently going feral in Greece) had a similar accident with the same miscommunication. His groundfall was only around 75' and a tree in the middle broke it up. He broke his back in several places, was in a body cast for ten months. that was fifteen odd years ago and today at 51, he's climbing 5.13.
good luck
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brotherbbock
Trad climber
Alta Loma, CA
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Oct 19, 2010 - 05:38pm PT
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57 meters????
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brotherbbock
Trad climber
Alta Loma, CA
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Oct 19, 2010 - 05:40pm PT
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That is a fall!!!
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labrat
Trad climber
Nevada City, CA
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Oct 21, 2010 - 12:59am PT
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Bump for update. Get well soon.
Erik
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milky
Sport climber
bishop ca
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Oct 21, 2010 - 09:22am PT
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the same day of this accident I overheard two novice climbers yelling at eachother over the roar of the creek wether to rap off or lower off. This is crazyness! make a plan with your partner before you leave the ground if you have any question as to what you are going to do when you reach the top of the climb. This is all to common an incident. Check your knot (and your partners), communicate your plan, pay attention. Climbing is dangerous!!! Get realistic about what you are involved in and treat it as such. Best wishes to our fallen. and happy climbing.
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HighTraverse
Social climber
Bay Area
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Oct 21, 2010 - 01:05pm PT
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I wish the young woman a speedy and full recovery, mentally and physically. Hope she can get back into climbing soon.
make a plan with your partner before you leave the ground if you have any question as to what you are going to do when you reach the top of the climb.
Well said but I would suggest
ALWAYS make a plan with your partner before you leave the ground so that you BOTH KNOW what you are going to do when you reach the top of the climb.
Spend an extra minute reviewing the plan so it's perfectly clear.
Don't change the plan unless there's a good reason and you BOTH can communicate.
I always do this. With steady partners it becomes a habit. With new partners, or with "social" climbing its easy to forget or get distracted in the milieu.
Always double check the rig, and check again if there's ANY doubt in your mind. Check your partner if you can see them.
The Devil's in the details.
Remember it's not a gym. You're responsible for your own rigging, and your partner's safety. Easy enough to forget a detail when you're out having fun.
I think I'm pretty careful and have climbed a long time yet I nearly blew a trivial rap setup. It almost certainly would have been fatal to me (300 nearly vertical feet to talus). My double check saved me.
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justthemaid
climber
Jim Henson's Basement
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Oct 21, 2010 - 02:56pm PT
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I speculated it was a mis-threaded rappel device since lowering someone on multi-pitch doesn't seem logical or even possible most of the time. Not sure how long the rope was or how far apart the anchors are though.
Years ago I witnessed a similar (single pitch)near-fatal accident where loud noise from traffic resulted in a mis-communication about whether or not someone was rappelling or being lowered. Climber thought he was getting lowered....belayer took him off belay and walked away.. 3rd-party (a total stranger) jumped in and grabbed the rope at the last second- saving the climber from decking when he unclipped from the anchor and leaned back. I guess it's a good lesson to all of us to communicate before we leave the ground to clean an anchor.
Be safe everyone, and again... well wishes for her speedy recovery.
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Oct 21, 2010 - 05:26pm PT
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Update: she fractured parts of her spine and pelvis.
Two surgeries already done to stabilize her spine, with a 3rd today and 4th Friday or Saturday.
Prognosis is good. [Edit 10/22:] L2 level injury on one side. Will have to wait and see how this works out.
[Edit to add:] She is from the SF Bay area. I checked, and she prefers that her name not be given out at present. Her friends are still in the process of getting the word out (I just heard). She may be able to use a computer in the next week or two, and may make a post. Fortunately the information in this thread is pretty accurate, thanks to the eyewitnesses.
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bergbryce
Mountain climber
Oakland
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Oct 21, 2010 - 05:51pm PT
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Lucky isn't even a sufficient word. Glad she is going to be all right.
Too bad there wasn't a dog to land on like the accident in RRG the other week.
When putting on my harness and tying in I do not talk or do anything else. I solely focus on those tasks, nothing else. Learned this in my early days when I realized multi-tasking while doing these two things is a bad idea.
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Oct 21, 2010 - 06:00pm PT
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Glad she's got a great prognosis. The surgeries sound like hell though. Best wishes!
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Oct 21, 2010 - 06:44pm PT
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Focusing is good when buckling your harness and tying your knot (and when setting up a rappel).
When belaying / lowering, it is more of a communication issue between the partners.
I was part of a similar accident a few years ago - I could not see or hear my partner who had led a pitch > 100 feet. I thought he knew to make a rappel, but he started lowering himself and then he thought I was lowering him, so he let go of the rope. He started accelerating, but fortunately it was not vertical and he managed to regrab the rope and stop himself. It could have easily been fatal. The problem could have easily been solved if I had not taken him off belay until I could reliably communicate with him. But I was trying to speed up the process of his pulling up the rappel rope by taking the rope out of my ATC. Not a good shortcut to take. My mistake.
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labrat
Trad climber
Nevada City, CA
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Oct 22, 2010 - 12:28am PT
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Thanks for the update!
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Oct 22, 2010 - 02:52am PT
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Lots of healing thoughts going her way. Glad there was quick response and a good medical team for her surgeries.
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Oct 22, 2010 - 12:25pm PT
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Significant wake up call bump.
Look alive people!
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Oct 22, 2010 - 01:48pm PT
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So, she's in a bay area hospital, now?
Thanks for that vignette, Clint, it Can happen to anyone.
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Oct 26, 2010 - 06:06pm PT
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Update anyone?
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Oct 27, 2010 - 12:10am PT
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10/23 update: 3rd spinal surgery went well. Still in Reno. Hope to transfer to a rehab facility in the bay area in a few weeks.
11/2 update: Last planned surgeries went well. Took some steps around the room with a walker. :-)
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FRUMY
Trad climber
SHERMAN OAKS,CA
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Oct 27, 2010 - 01:41am PT
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thanks for the up date.
my best thoughts to her.
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Oct 27, 2010 - 02:57am PT
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Healing thougbts and prayers going her way
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Tahoe climber
climber
Davis these days
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Oct 27, 2010 - 12:27pm PT
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Best wishes and speedy recovery to the accident victim.
Respectfully request her to post details so we can all have one more reminder on how to prevent what happened.
TC
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Tradtimbo
Trad climber
Danvers, MA
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Nov 19, 2010 - 08:00pm PT
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All the best!!! She's is the sister of my friends girlfriend! Glad we're seeing some updates!!!! I'm sure we'll eventually hear about how it actually happened. She has an angel on her shoulder...
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Dec 17, 2010 - 06:50pm PT
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any updates?
Edit: wondering how she is doing with her rehab
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le_bruce
climber
Oakland: what's not to love?
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Dec 17, 2010 - 07:57pm PT
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Clint wrote:
I was part of a similar accident a few years ago - I could not see or hear my partner who had led a pitch > 100 feet. I thought he knew to make a rappel, but he started lowering himself and then he thought I was lowering him, so he let go of the rope. He started accelerating, but fortunately it was not vertical and he managed to regrab the rope and stop himself. It could have easily been fatal. The problem could have easily been solved if I had not taken him off belay until I could reliably communicate with him. But I was trying to speed up the process of his pulling up the rappel rope by taking the rope out of my ATC. Not a good shortcut to take. My mistake.
Being self-critical in any analysis is good, and that sounds like the kind of thinking I'd want in a partner.
But in the situation you've described, as much or more fault lies with your partner, who probably now will remember to never, ever take his hand off the rap unless he's 100% certain his belayer is lowering him.
Really glad to hear about any time a near accident is avoided. My partner very nearly killed himself while rapping off of Goodrich the other week. Distracted, he didn't clip into the anchor when he hit a bolted belay on a tiny stance (top of p3). Took his ATC off the ropes, pulled the lines, and chatted for a good two minutes before either of us realized he was attached to nothing.
If he had leaned back, he would have gone three hundred feet.
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Dec 17, 2010 - 10:19pm PT
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Thanks, Bruce. It is a communication issue, but I still feel largely at fault for the older accident because I took my partner off belay without clear communication.
And it was for convenience - to help speed up the process of his pulling rope up to the anchor.
Now I keep people on when I'm uncertain. Often they pull up rope at about the same rate I can feed it through my ATC, so there is no real loss of speed.
For an update on my friend's condition - she transferred from Reno to a rehab ward in San Jose, was there for a few weeks, and then was discharged around December 1. She has full strength in one leg, and significant weakness and numbness in the other. She has a lot of pain due to the broken pelvis and fractured sacrum. She described it late November as level 7/10 when sitting, and never less than 5 when lying down. She moved into a ground floor apartment near the rehab hospital, so she does not have to travel far for physical therapy. It is still early in the recovery process, so she is adjusting to some of the complications, and hopefully she will regain some more function. Her friends are in contact and we use a google spreadsheet to plan visits so that we can provide a little entertainment to distract her from the pain while she is healing up.
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TheLittleUnit
Trad climber
SF Bay Area
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Hello, all.
It has taken 2+ years for me to recover emotionally and physically enough to read, let alone post on ST again. I am the girl who fell 140 ft to the ground and survived.
I know it was 140 ft because I had just linked 2 pitches with a 70m rope. It is true, it is quite miraculous that I survived, let alone escaped without a Traumatic Brain Injury. What saved my life, probably, was the fact that about half-way down, one end of the rope coiled around my left leg, braking my fall momentarily, before I continued to fall the rest of the 70+ ft. I was also wearing a helmet.
The result of the accident was "burst" (that is the medical term) vertebrae i.e. I don't have a L2 vertebra any more, just a cage in its place, a torn spinal cord (T-10 incomplete, I was lucky there, a complete tear would have resulted in complete paralysis as opposed to my partial paralysis), a shattered sacrum and pelvis. 8 surgeries later, months of rehab, PT, time in a wheel chair, countless questions and weird looks from people as I first learned how to live life in a wheelchair, then moved on to a clunky leg brace, I am now what you would call a "walking paraplegic". With more blood, sweat and tears than I can convey, I have managed to learn to walk somewhat normally again, without a leg brace, and if I am walking on flat ground, most people would have difficulty noticing anything different about me. I know I got away lucky, but most of the time I wished I had died that day, rather than deal with the other physical and emotional effects of the accident.
I have not tried to climb since that day, even though I have not been able to bring myself to sell my climbing gear. I cut myself off from the climbing world because it was too hard to hear people talk about their wonderful adventures/trips, see places I used to climb, see this celebration of one's physical abilities. Perhaps the biggest challenge in recovering has been the emotional one, rather than the physical. One result of my accident is that I quit my job as an engineer because I decided I wanted to try and become a doctor! Haha, how many 30 year olds make that kind of career move? :) It has been hard to find new hobbies to replace climbing. Well, nothing will ever replace climbing.
My friends, family and rescuers know how much gratitude and love I have for them. They really pulled me through some very very dark times.
Best wishes and stay safe,
Wendy Ong
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Oh my Wendy......an amazing story. Incredibly courageous in sharing the reality of what you have gone through and are going through. I'm glad you have not cut yourself off from the crazy, poignant and moving ST.
Susan
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Srbphoto
climber
Kennewick wa
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Good luck Wendy!
If you never feel the urge to touch stone don't sweat it, you'll find another passion. Just don't let what happened ruin the great memories of your time moving over stone.
Believe it or not, 30 is young. you still have a lot of living to do.
Go kick ass!!!
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Ken M
Mountain climber
Los Angeles, Ca
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Wendy, thank God for the good luck of the fall circumstances, and that you are still alive. Miraculous.
I can understand the dark places, and have seen it often in such circumstances. But you are climbing out.
I think the decision to pursue Medicine is a wise one. The intense focus required will help you. The immense sense of helping and accomplishment in seeing others do better through your efforts is huge.
I'm a physician, and have served on a Medical School admissions committee in the past. If there is anything that I can do in terms of information, or you would like to bounce ideas, don't hesitate to PM me.
Best wishes for continuing progress on all fronts.
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TheLittleUnit
Trad climber
SF Bay Area
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Well, I'm actually 31 :)
I can't believe the kind words of support I am getting from people who do know even know me. It is making me cry (in a good way).
Yes, an event like that makes you re-evaluate what is important in life and your perception of time. Shitting my life away in front of a computer screen at a job I wasn't completely passionate about was no longer an option.
On the plus side, I get to park in handicap spots. Although, I've lost count of the number of times people have yelled at me, thinking I stole the placard or something.
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Tork
climber
Yosemite
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Holy shizzle!
Youv'e come a long way, keep it up and good luck.
Have you talked to James? He is also a walking miracle
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ncrockclimber
climber
The Desert Oven
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Much respect to you for all that you have gone through. Many people would have given up long ago. You are obviously a fighter. I am sure that you will find a way to achieve your goal of becoming a doctor. Best wishes to you for making your future whatever you want it to be!
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10b4me
Boulder climber
Somewhere on 395
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Wendy, we are all glad that you are around to post.
As far as climbing, sure it is your passion, like it is for so many of us here.
However, it's not the end of the world if you never climb again. There are many other things to experience, i.e. kayaking, photography, just being outdoors. Don't let it get you down.
One last thing, don't be a stranger to Supertopo. Come back and enjoy the banter.
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graniteclimber
Trad climber
The Illuminati -- S.P.E.C.T.R.E. Division
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I am so happy to see that you are OK!
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susan peplow
climber
Joshua Tree, CA
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Wendy, thank you for taking the time to re-connect with the ST cyber family. Hearing of your progress and candid thoughts of recovery brings more to the community than the various trolls, political talk and whatever else is normally going on here.
I'm sure I'm speaking for many when wishing you the best in whatever these next chapters will bring you. Medical school, kayaking, writing or deciding to fish and live in a van by the river... we want to hear about it.
Everyone here is adventurers at heart, stay with us. Better yet, guide us!
~Susan
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TheLittleUnit
Trad climber
SF Bay Area
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Well, my left leg is much weaker overall than my right leg and I don't really have left-quad function. So when I walk up and down steps, I always lead with my right leg and lift my left leg to match it (i.e. I take steps one at a time as opposed to raising one leg to take the next step). I've gotten used to geriatrics blazing past me :)
So to answer your question, I think I could climb easy stuff if I wanted to, if I were to always lead with my right foot, but I can't really put much weight on my left leg. There have been so many nights where I have stayed awake, thinking about making some kind of heroic climbing come-back with three limbs. I stand-up paddleboard without full use of both legs, so I suppose it would be possible...I've also imagined just following on aid since I used to do that with one leg anyway.
The thing holding me back isn't fear of falling or anything like that. It's more remembering how I used to climb and worrying about feeling sad, frustrated etc that my body fails me. I know this is all stuff we have to deal with as we age, but it just makes me sad that I'm having to deal with this much earlier than most people, without having that many more adventures and experiences I could have had under my belt before accepting our physical limitations and the natural aging process.
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healyje
Trad climber
Portland, Oregon
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I can't help the feeling that, even if you can't put a finger on their form right now, you still have a lot of adventures and experiences left in you after having come this far. All the best to you and please do keep us posted from time to time on what you are up to given you're now family here.
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climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
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I am glad you stopped in to share with us. I doubt I have any amazing advice to give you. It does sound like a part of you wants to get back on the rock.
My hope for you is that whatever you do you are surrounded by friends and love. That the moments of joy are there for you from time to time. Follow the road of your passion. If this turns you into a great doctor that would be very cool.
If you do go climb again I hope it brings more joy. Just being out in the vertical environment and soaking in the views with good friends might be great when it is time.
I hope so.
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bajaandy
climber
Escondido, CA
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You are inspirational! I don't know you, never met you, only vaguely remember reading about your accident, and now I'm inspired by your words and by your drive to heal yourself physically, emotionally and psychologically. And you've really touched on something that so many people just don't get... that healing is SO much more than physical. The human body is an amazing machine, and there are many, many super talented physicians and healers out there... but trauma requires healing of those aches and pains we cannot put a bandage on. You sound like you are on the healing path. All the best to you in your future endeavors, whatever they may be, whether they include climbing or not.
Andy
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BillL
Trad climber
NM
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Wendy,
Thank you for chiming in about how you are doing post-accident. In a first-order kind of way, it is helpful to a lot of folks out there who believe in a kind of self-immunity.
And second order, your paddle-board experience and attempting a career change speak volumes of you as a person. When old age finally does overcome, the accident won't have robbed you of a sense of having had a good life.
Best Wishes,
Bill L
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DanaB
climber
CT
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Hi Wendy,
Have you heard of of Paradox Sports? www.paradoxsports.org
That organization might be a good source of practical help and information. And if you can contact Malcolm Daly, one of the Founders of Paradox and an avid climber - he could be a good resource, I am sure.
Sending you all the best,
Dana Bartlett
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Wow!
Kick ass!
You're gonna be a great doctor, the empathy shown in telling us about what's up with you now will take you a long ways (I was married to a physician for 18 yrs, I can sense it in you!)
I suspect you're going to find your way back into climbing and enjoy it for whatever it is for you now.
Good luck to you, we'll be watching for updates!
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Prod
Trad climber
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31 is young. You can do whatever you want to do.
Cheers.
Prod.
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Fletcher
Trad climber
The rock doesn't care what I think
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Wow... good on ya! For your tenacity in recovering, for coming back here and sharing, and for your new path of work in life!
Our paths often take strange and sometime painful (on many levels) twists. But if you are paying attention, sometimes those dark times are part of how we get to where we need to be. Wouldn't wish that accident on anyone just to further her past, but it did happen for you and it's inspiring to hear what you're taking away moving forward with it.
cheers,
Eric
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Capt.
climber
some eastside hovel
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Wow...Glad to see your posting Wendy.Positivity is about the most important healing tool you can have.Keep it up and good luck with the new career choice.You and I are members of a club I think we both would rather not be a part of. http://supertopo.com/climbers-forum/1613063/Gorge-accident-9-11-11 If you ever need to converse with a fellow "Gorge Survivor" feel free to PM me.
Kirk Sager
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steveA
Trad climber
bedford,massachusetts
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Wendy,
I'm sure you already know that attitude and the human spirit can make all the difference in dealing with severe physical issues.
When I was 21, I nearly lost my foot in Vietnam. The doctor said I would never run again. At 52, I did a 5 minute mile.
I know that at your young age, your facing the prospect of dealing with significant pain, perhaps for the rest of your life, and that really sucks.
You have already shown that you have what it takes to overcome great difficulties, and I have NO doubt that if you want to change professions and become a doctor, you will succeed. As Jaybro said, you will be able to relate to many patients for obvious reasons.
I hope you are around close friends over the holidays,
Best of luck!
Steve
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Mike Friedrichs
Sport climber
City of Salt
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Wendy,
About 15 years ago I was dropped from the anchor of a 70 foot route. I burst my L1 (I could count more than 15 pieces in the xray), and also broke T9 and L2. Falling 70 feet I was lucky to be alive. I spent the whole summer in a full-length body cast.
At first, I didn't think about climbing again. I wanted to walk again. When that seemed likely, I started thinking about running again. Movement. Any kind. When it seemed like I was going to have a full, or nearly full recovery, of course I wanted to climb again.
I went on to climb often and hard, at least for me. But I never forget how lucky and fortunate I am to be able to just climb at all. When I see the tantrums at the crag from the prima donnas who fell off their project, I reflect on how lucky I am to have the perspective that just to be playing this game makes us privileged in a big way. I guess that perspective is the gift I got from my accident.
My L1 is a small fraction of its original size. I lost about a half inch. I do have pain, more so recently. It hurts to go on long hikes. I've found that posture and alignment matter a lot for me. I do yoga once or twice every week. I try to sit up straight. Yoga has really helped me.
Good luck with your path, whether it involves climbing or not. Try to find something positive that you learned from your accident. It's there if you look for it. I can tell that you are smart and thoughtful. You'll be great at anything you do.
mike
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Bargainhunter
climber
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I started med school at age 31 and had many classmates the same age and quite a few much older. So go for it Wendy!
I would second the suggestion to contact Malcolm Daly. He's a super-friendly and inspirational guy and has had more than his share of climbing mishaps...losing a leg, and then later having a heart attack while ice climbing. The story of him being shocked back to life in the back of a paramedic's rig is amazing...a few minutes later in making it to the ambulance would have meant game over for him. Read his story!
Also, Chris Kalous recently interviewed Greg Demartino on the Enormcast. Greg fell in a similar manner as you, and ultimately lost his leg, and has some other chronic pain issues. But he is back in the game and sending hard! Listen to his story on the podcast here:
http://enormocast.com/episode-11-what-has-two-arms-one-leg-and-climbs-like-a-mofo-craig-demartino/
Godspeed Wendy!
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Wen
Trad climber
Bend, OR
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Being ready to read the taco seems like the first step in returning to this sport. It may be a while, but on a larger level it shows you are healing from the emotional trauma and ready to think about the climbing world again. Slowly but surely you'll move to the next step, whatever that may be.
Your words literally give me shivers, thank you so much for sharing them. Puts so much in perspective.
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Footloose
Trad climber
Lake Tahoe
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Wendy,
Unbelievable that you're still alive after that! It's proof that miracles do happen. Your story and positive attitude are an inspiration. I hope you continue to post here when you can to share and inspire.
Best wishes for your continuing progress and for everything you're going to do.
Bill
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Spider Savage
Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
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Hooray for you to survive this ordeal! Keep working toward what you love. The desire to do what you want to do is senior to any physical limitations.
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PAUL SOUZA
Trad climber
Central Valley, CA
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Wendy, glad to see you make such an impressive recovery!
Read this book: "Man's Search For Meaning" by Viktor Frankl. It may just change your life as it has mine and many others. It's a cheap and easy read.
Good luck! :)
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nita
Social climber
chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.
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WOW...After the initial reporting of your accident...It's amazing to hear you are ok and doing well...
It looks like you are doing great things with your second chance in this world. Wishing you a sweet journey ahead.
Please don't take two years to come back with news... keep us updated..
Thanks....
Cheers,
nita
ps...31 is young...enjoy.
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Jingy
climber
Somewhere out there
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Wendy,
I heard about this tragic fall, saw the thread header and opened it up to see the beginnings of the story.
I couldn't read on, as much as I wanted to.
Now that I've read your side and as bad as I know a fall of this magnitude is I am glad to know that you are alright.
I cannot possibly understand the loss of climbing in one day, the pain of a fall, but I can understand the loss of climbing from ones life. To me it was like a love affair that slowly turned without me noticing the sadness and the anger at its loss. But there are all the positive memories I will have forever. All the extremely strong minded, strong willed, talented and brilliant people I would never have met without that love. I ask, who would you be if you hadn't lead your first climb? What about that one climb you did that scared the piss out of your friends when you got a little better at climbing? Who else but you knows how far you are willing to go to achieve your dreams? And the achievements both big and small are all within you even today. No fall can take that from you.
Its what you do with your life now that climbing is not in it. And knowing whatever you do is going to be good enough. After all… what else can it be?
Cheers to you Wendy. Maybe you can become that doctor and help others or, possibly even save lives. The universe of possibilities are all at your door. Its up to you to open it and begin the journey.
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BuddhaStalin
climber
Truckee, CA
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Dec 10, 2012 - 04:11am PT
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Wendy, glad you have recovered well. I was one of your nurses in Reno. I can attest to just how lucky you are.
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Big Mike
Trad climber
BC
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Dec 10, 2012 - 01:06pm PT
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Wendy,
It is amazing that you are still with us to tell your tale. Thank you for taking the time to share it. You are an inspiration, never give up your fight. Don't worry about climbing, the time will come when you're ready. You'll know. Your love for the rock and vertical plane will take over from your past expectations.
Just get out and enjoy climbing, when you're ready, or not, it's all up to you.
I have a feeling as others have said that your return here is a good sign, you are starting to think about climbing again.
I wish you Good Luck on your new path and am positive you will find your way.
Mike Cowper
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guyman
Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
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Dec 10, 2012 - 06:42pm PT
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Wow Glad your alive!!!!!!
Thank you for posting your story, we all can learn from it.
Guy Keesee
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TheLittleUnit
Trad climber
Cambridge, MA (formerly) SF Bay Area
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Dec 10, 2012 - 07:14pm PT
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Thank you so much for everyone's well-wishes. I've pretty much accepted that I have regained any function that I can hope to get back by this point. The fact that I am walking, let alone walking without the aid of a brace, surpasses some people's expectations. I've been "training" so that I now can walk around 4 miles straight, on flat ground mind you. I can't run or do anything that involves your left quad (which is a lot of things). I'd like to say that the accident gave me a whole new perspective on life, and how I don't sweat the small stuff anymore, but I'm no saint :) There are a lot of as#@&%es in wheelchairs :) I still worry about finding a partner who will accept me and my physical limitations, which makes dating very stressful!
I'm living in Cambridge, MA now (for school), but I'll be sure to take you up on your offers to belay me when/if I'm ready to return to climbing. Now that I'm in New England, the idea of ice-climbing has been planted in my head...
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10b4me
Boulder climber
Somewhere on 395
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Dec 10, 2012 - 07:18pm PT
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I don't sweat the small stuff anymore, but I'm no saint :) There are a lot of as#@&%es in wheelchairs :) I still worry about finding a partner who will accept me and my physical limitations, which makes dating very stressful!
I don't think you will have any trouble finding someone to date. The way you have expressed yourself speaks volumes.
but I'll be sure to take you up on your offers to belay me when/if I'm ready to return to climbing.
I would be honored to give you a belay.
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Grampa
climber
from SoCal
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Dec 10, 2012 - 07:20pm PT
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Best wishes for a full recovery.
So many rapelling accidents this year.......
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t-bone
climber
Bishop
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Dec 10, 2012 - 07:33pm PT
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Hi Wendy,
Congrats on walking! Sounds like a major accomplishment to be proud of.
Just last week, a few of us (that were at the Gorge that day) were talking about you and wondering about your mobility. Your improvement is great news.
Don't worry, someone with your passion and determination is sure to find many adventures in life. You just have a bit more to overcome now, which will make your adventures that much more rewarding.
Good luck and thanks for the inspiration (...as I sit at my engineering job)
Tony
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Dec 10, 2012 - 08:28pm PT
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Oops. Did I say that out loud?
Yep! Cool!
Susan
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Dec 11, 2012 - 01:39am PT
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Since this has been referred to as a rappelling accident, and someone has asked for the details, "bobmarley's" (patrick)'s post on Oct 19, 2010 - 02:15pm has an accurate description:
i think that there was a communication error and she thought she was going to be lowered to the first anchor (which is actually not possible because they had a 70 and the 2 pitches combined is like 55-60m. belayer thought she was going to rap the pitches. she leans back and is off-belay and falls the entire 160' only to be caught briefly when the rope snagged at 40' (saved her life) then she fell the 40' to the ground.
I will add that she lowered her belayer from the top anchor. The expected plan (based on their previous long climb) was for him to stop at the intermediate anchor and then lower her. But while Wendy was leading he voiced his preference to be lowered to the ground instead. Unfortunately she was concentrating on the lead at the time and did not remember this by the time she reached the top. He followed and did not remind her of his new plan. He was lowered (out of sight) to the ground. There was not enough rope for him to lower her to the ground. He assumed that Wendy remembered the new plan, so she could figure this out and do a rappel instead.
The mechanics of the situation also contributed to the miscommunication. Due to the rope weight of the 200' of rope from the anchor down to her partner, when he was on the ground and she disengaged her lowering device, the rest of the rope fed by gravity down to the ground. So it appeared to Wendy that he was setting up the lower for her as she expected. And when she detached herself from the upper anchor, the rope weight lowered her slowly at first (she's light), so it appeared he was lowering her and she let go of the far side of the rope.
Another factor is that this was the first time she had climbed with this partner. It brings up the difficult issue of how well you should know someone before you trust them with your life. This accident could have happened to partners who knew each other fairly well, so I am not sure how big a factor this was.
In hindsight, the correct thing for her partner to do would have been to stay tied in to the end (or anchor it to the ground), and call out to other climbers to borrow a second rope, and tie it to their rope to do the lowering she expected. Another way the problem could have been prevented would have been to discuss the plan explicitly when he reached the anchor. He would have then found out that she didn't think she could rappel to reach the first anchor; that lowering each other to reach it might have worked (or getting a second rope). Similarly, Wendy could have prevented the accident by lowering herself until she could confirm visually that her partner was lowering her.
More details are recounted on Wendy's blog:
http://wendy-o-ng.blogspot.com/2012/12/notes-from-my-accident.html
In my earlier years of climbing, I would have read accident details like the above, and thought "Oh, I would not have done X, so this would not have happened to me." In reality, each of us and our partners make small mistakes or decisions that seem reasonable in isolation, and sometimes they add up to a big accident like this. So please be aware that we are not immune to getting hurt like this. We should still act to minimize risks, but be aware that there is a certain level of risk that will still exist.
Like other things (such as running), climbing is "a gift" that depends on a lot of abilities, and our climbing careers can be over in an instant. Or put on hold for many months or years. This can be a chance to examine our lives and adapt to our new circumstances. Having such major injuries is very rough. Finding a way to enjoy life in our given circumstances (and to improve them) is what we all try to do, with varying degrees of success.
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limpingcrab
Trad climber
the middle of CA
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Dec 11, 2012 - 02:08am PT
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You're awesome. It's great to see you focusing on challenging yourself and exploring what you CAN do instead of giving up and focusing on what you CAN'T do (though I'm sure there are moments).
When it's all said and done, investing in people is what it's all about and you've still got that. Investing in climbing, adventure and work is fun and exciting, but not where joy comes from.
Keep it up and and thanks for updating everyone on your story!
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jopay
climber
so.il
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Dec 11, 2012 - 07:06am PT
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Wendy something tells me there will be many chapters of success, experiences and adventure in your life ahead, and this accident will be but one of them. I came back from an accident,and I know a bit of what you have to sort through, but I did, and if you chose to climb I'm sure you will as well. I too would recommend Malcolm Daly as someone with experience in folks with challenges. I have a couple of climber friends in Boston that I'm sure would be more than willing to assist in any way should you decide to get back in the game, just e-mail me if you want their names.Best of luck Wendy.
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TheLittleUnit
Trad climber
Cambridge, MA (formerly) SF Bay Area
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Dec 11, 2012 - 08:29am PT
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Thanks Clint. I would also like to add that it would have been very difficult (if not impossible) for me to rap to the 1st set of anchors because they are very far to the side of the 2nd set of anchors. My partner and I had been following the same protocol the whole wkend and I did not think it was going to change for this climb. There were definitely things that made me apprehensive about climbing with him: his eagerness to simul-rap back down from climbs (I vehemently declined), his rush to get back to the ground etc. I should have followed my instincts and cut my losses there.
I have not spoken to my partner since that day (and he has not contacted me).
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10b4me
Boulder climber
Somewhere on 395
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Dec 11, 2012 - 12:48pm PT
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I have not spoken to my partner since that day (and he has not contacted me).
IMO, very poor conduct on his part
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Bad Climber
climber
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Dec 11, 2012 - 04:59pm PT
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Wendy: You have a huge fan club here. I'm so impressed by your strength and determination. Most of us here probably wonder if we would do so well in your shoes. As an educator (community college), I encounter a lot of people, and, interestingly, I had a student who suffered a terrible attack by a crazy gang member. My student was a wonderful young man, and everyone in the class liked him, a lad in no way involved in gangs. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was shot AND stabbed. By a very slim margin, he survived but ended up in a wheel chair. I don't know if he'll ever walk again, but his spirit, like yours, would not be dimmed, and he completely changed majors and is now working towards a medical degree. I know both of you will be fine, compassionate doctors. Keep up the good fight. You will have many grand adventures!
BAd
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oldtopangalizard
Social climber
ca
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Dec 11, 2012 - 05:47pm PT
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Half the time it seems like ST is centered around shocking stories or statements, climbing related or not. Wendy and her partner from the accident not talking at all since that day may be the most shocking thing I've ever read here.
Wendy, good luck to you in every way. Reading your blog, I feel confident your life will pass through this and be fulfilling to your satisfaction. My Mom always says it best at the end of every call, 'God Bless You'.
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Dec 11, 2012 - 06:22pm PT
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Warning, it is pretty raw stuff
As a regular reader of ST I'm thinking I'll be able to handle it!
Your inspiration grounded in reality is so moving. Too often we get swayed by what I call "The Sunday Night Movie" mentality that we never get to see or experience the true grit required in long term recovery. Yes, your story is inspiring, but your bluntness, strips away the veneer of "can do" and makes us ask ourselves "oh, you really think you 'can-do'?"
Thanks for being brutally honest. For me, that is your true inspiration for me!
I keep coming back to Wow. incredible story of moving from survivor to thriver....Thanks
Susan
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Alexey
Trad climber
San Jose, CA
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Dec 11, 2012 - 06:34pm PT
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Wendy - my best wishes . I wish your bad memory gone in the future.
I am not surprise that you are not talking anymore with your partner, I surprised that he never try to reach you to explain what happen. No matter what was communications between you - I would feel guilt in his place
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Hardman Knott
Gym climber
Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley, Ca
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Dec 11, 2012 - 06:38pm PT
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Wendy and her partner from the accident not talking at all since that day may be the most shocking thing I've ever read here.
I've been here since day one and I agree 100% - what could even come close?
Wendy, you are truly amazing and inspirational beyond words.
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nah000
Mountain climber
canuckadia
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Dec 11, 2012 - 08:31pm PT
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TheLittleUnit:
i just wanted to thank you for your honesty.
i read/skimmed some of your blogs and appreciated the vulnerability you've shown both here and in your blogs.
you are inspiring and i wish you all of the best as you continue to heal on all fronts.
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Rankin
Social climber
Greensboro, North Carolina
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Dec 11, 2012 - 09:07pm PT
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Hey there Little Unit, thanks for sharing your struggles and successes with us.
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bobmarley
Trad climber
Auburn CA, Seattle, Bishop
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Dec 12, 2012 - 10:59am PT
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Hi Wendy,
Glad to hear about your incredible recovery. It was Tony (t-bone), myself, Holly, and Olivia, and some others that were there that day. Olivia was the one that ran to the top of the Gorge to call for help. She witnessed the entire fall. t-bone, Holly, and I stayed with you until help arrived. None of us have ever forgotten that day and actually bring it up frequently. Too bad about your partner never contacting. If he is reading this right now I'm gonna have to say that is pretty spineless. I'm sure he has his own demons about the whole thing.
As far as the original accident report, I might have gotten it slightly incorrect because I did not know that the rope wrapped around Wendy's leg to slow down the fall. Instead I hypothesized that the rope kinked in the anchor while zipping through making Wendy slow down about 40' above the ground.
-patrick
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crunch
Social climber
CO
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Dec 12, 2012 - 03:02pm PT
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Inspiring story. Best wishes for the future.
I'm 3 years out from a (very minor) spine injury. Slipped on ice in back yard, hit lower spine on step hard enough for legs to fly up in the air. A few days later either bruising or swelling began compressing my spine, went to ER with right leg in extreme pain and (idiot doctor) they sent me home with paperwork on how to lift properly. Next day entire leg was numb with slight tingle in big toe, which, apparently, was a good sign, damage was done, too late for doing anything. Been recovering ever since. At 2 years out I expected that the recovery I had was as much as I'd ever see, but not so, those nerves keep working away behind the scenes, trying to reconnect or work around the damage.
I'm now effectively close to 100 percent recovered. Can't really run or jump properly but I don’t really care, I can just about push up on front of right foot so that my climbing and hiking ability is no longer limited. This, for me, is great, except now I gotta fall back on other excuses.
It gets to where you don't notice improvement any more, it's far too slow for that, but one day you notice can do something you could not a few months previously. You may be at that stage now. Sounds like your spine is now about where mine was at its worst. One leg little better than an unresponsive stump. Acupuncture can help stimulate circulation and nerve/muscle function, but I’m sure you know that by now. Hiking, every day, at least a bit, is a great exercise.
At three years out I’m in better shape that a year ago, for sure. So, if you're 2 years out I reckon you will still get incremental improvements in the next year at least. Not huge improvements, you know better than that, but better than you have now.
With the trauma of what happened, can't blame you for not trying climbing. If certain muscles in your legs don't work then standing and pushing on footholds becomes hard to do and climbing, especially easy-angled slabs, is frustrating. Easy-angled outdoor slabs, however easy they are supposed to be, will suck. If you do feel the urge to try, try toproping at a gym where you can get on terrain that is steep and juggy with well-defined, large footholds and your upper body can compensate for leg/foot weakness.
In fact, I found sessions in the gym on vertical/slightly overhanging terrain worked great for training my weak leg/foot to function better. Outside’s different, much more tricky; 1.5 years out I fractured ankle (evulsion fracture) without noticing, simply by working it too hard. Weeks of swelling and pain and forced rest/scary hiking.
The stand-up paddling looks like a great way to get the leg muscles working and teach the nerves what you expect them to do. I thought of putting up a slackline, too, that would help in a similar way, but I’m maybe beyond that stage now.
Your comment here really resonates loudly:
“It's more remembering how I used to climb and worrying about feeling sad, frustrated etc that my body fails me. I know this is all stuff we have to deal with as we age, but it just makes me sad that I'm having to deal with this much earlier than most people, without having that many more adventures and experiences I could have had under my belt before accepting our physical limitations and the natural aging process.”
It resonates because, in my 50s, I’m exactly the reverse and I’m well aware of it; I’ve already done so many wild, hazardous and crazy things I’m just glad to be here at all. Never broken a bone. I’m extremely lucky not to have had to deal with far worse, along the lines of what you are going through, long ago. I’d surely feel the same frustration as you, if were so much younger. Probably react in much less positive ways.
Good luck!
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couchmaster
climber
pdx
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Dec 12, 2012 - 03:15pm PT
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Every day is a gift. Congrats on surviving it and wish you the best going forward.
"On the plus side, I get to park in handicap spots." LOLZ!
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A5scott
Trad climber
Chicago
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Feb 11, 2013 - 01:18pm PT
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You are an inspiration to us all, and you are a bad ass for sure!
Wendy update?? ;)
Scott
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shady
Trad climber
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Feb 11, 2013 - 07:02pm PT
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The makings of an epic biography. With so many chapters still to come, Little unit's big adventure continues.
Wendy, you have my very best wishes for a long and happy life.
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TheLittleUnit
Trad climber
Cambridge, MA (formerly) SF Bay Area
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Feb 18, 2013 - 10:53pm PT
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Thanks A5Scott and Shady (although the bar for biographies these days is pretty low these days ). Scott and I met at the Paradox Sports Ice-climbing weekend in North Conway, the weekend of Snowmageddon. It was the first climbing I had done (ice or otherwise) since my accident. Going into the weekend, I braced myself for a flood of mixed emotions - nervousness, sadness, frustration, perhaps even elation? It was so much fun to prepare for a trip again(even if it was a short weekend one without any camping), planning what gear to bring, dusting off old climbing gear and hot athletic clothing that had not seen the light of day since before my accident. A lump came to my throat as I came across the harness I had worn the day of my accident (my rescuers had managed to take it off without cutting). I'm not sure how it had remained in my possession (my mother had discarded most things in her despair/fury/desire to eliminate any memory of that day), but there it was. I hesitated for a moment before I threw it in the bin and summarily ordered its replacement online. I don't miss it.
I had deliberately chosen to ice-climb before getting back onto rock (I had never ice-climbed before) because I thought this would decrease the chances of feeling angry, sad and frustrated at not being able to do the things I used to be able to do. I'm much less self-critical than I used to be, but it did not make me immune to feelings of deep sadness, disappointment/setback about my changed physical state, as I struggled to walk up to the base of the climbs, as I couldn't kick my left crampon into the snow as hard as I needed to, as I had to worry about not peeing in my pants during the day.
In spite of these moments of sadness, I was surprised by how happy I was to just be out of the city, in the mountains, outside, enjoying the frigid winter air, feeling my ice-tool grab the ice, being able to move upwards with my good leg, shooting the sh#t with fellow climbers, able-bodied and disabled, at and away from the crag. I met Sean O'Neill and other less famous, but no less bad-ass, mofos. It turns out that I rather like ice-climbing. And I wasn't even that bummed when I found that I could barely fit into my usual size climbing harness (I guess that's what happens when you go for the send with every huge meal put in front of you - A5Scott can attest to TheLittleUnit being able to pack away quite a bit :))
My heart and soul sung quietly many times that weekend.
I did have to deal with some bad pain issues after the trip, which sucked. But I'm a glutton for punishment (some things haven't changed) and I'm heading to Ouray at the end of the month for another wkend of ice-climbing :)
I couldn't have asked for a better occasion and better group of people, to mark my foray back into the world of climbing.
P.S. I know the ice-climbing season is coming to a close, but I would love to find some ice-climbers in the Northeast, willing to teach a noob a few things or two.
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guyman
Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
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Feb 18, 2013 - 11:10pm PT
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Go Girl...
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Michelle
Social climber
Toshi's Station, picking up power converters.
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Feb 18, 2013 - 11:12pm PT
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There's hope! Thanks for that.
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Feb 18, 2013 - 11:42pm PT
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Oh boy, pretty speechless here, just something special..really special.
Susan
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A5scott
Trad climber
Chicago
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Feb 19, 2013 - 12:18am PT
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Yes Littleunit, it was amazing to watch you eat! You'd make competitive eaters proud... Friday night you had a couple pizzas, and Saturday night you ate a small school of salmon! Good thing though cause you needed the energy for all the ass and ice kicking you did. It was great to hang out and climb together... I felt as if I witnessed your rebirth into the climbing world, and I hope you take it by storm! Every time you climb you will build upon the last, create new experiences and break down barriers that only exist in your mind.
Watching you only makes me want to get my ass in gear and keep pushing. Looking forward to your Ouray TR and others to follow!
All the best,
Scott
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rgold
Trad climber
Poughkeepsie, NY
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Feb 19, 2013 - 12:36am PT
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Wendy, you might find the following video of interest from the one-footed (and no footed) climbing perspectives. It's all interesting, but keep watching, because there is climbing at the end and one of the climbers, doing it for the first time, has only one intact leg and no prosthesis on the other. The other climber is Hugh Herr, a double amputee, who you may have heard of.
[Click to View YouTube Video]
Hugh is up by you at MIT and might have some insights, even though he is primarily in the business of prostheses.
Here is a video of Paul Pritchard, who has found his way back to climbing after the injuries from a severe accident left him with no use of his right arm and partial use of his right leg.
http://www.thebmc.co.uk/modules/video.aspx?id=78&s=2
I wouldn't be surprised if rock climbing turned out to be easier than ice climbing, especially in corners, grooves and other multi-planar features where hip and body scumming would provide opportunities to maintain a stable body position while advancing the power foot. Think new techniques for unijambistic climbing rather than "oh crap I can't do this the way I would have before..."
The Gunks are a few hours from you and are in many ways an ideal place to see if reconnecting to the rock has some interest for you now. Best wishes for your new path in life!
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10b4me
Boulder climber
Somewhere on 395
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Feb 19, 2013 - 01:43am PT
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Way to go.
You will love Ouray
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Morgan
Trad climber
East Coast
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Feb 19, 2013 - 02:11pm PT
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Hey Wendy,
It was great to meet you and a whole bunch of new friends at Paradox Ice. It's too bad a number of folks couldn't make it due to storm NEMO, but it was a super-fun time. You, Scott and the rest of the crew rock.
I figured out the place in the Sierras I was asking you about. I'm pretty sure it was Pine Creek. Glad to hear you're psyched to keep after it!
Nice link, Rich. The Herrs, with daughters, joined us on the ice at last year's Paradox Ice event in North Conway, which was the first time for this area.
Chad
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shady
Trad climber
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Feb 19, 2013 - 02:35pm PT
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Wendy....Just accepting the invitation to go climbing was a huge milestone. The flood of emotions while at the base of that climb must have been overwhelming. As I see it, the moment of truth came to look you in the eyes, and you didn't blink. That first tool placement was the punctuation on an enormous statement about your character.
Well done!
Best wishes.
shady
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Feb 19, 2013 - 05:12pm PT
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Sounds like fun. One convenient thing about ice climbing (on thick ice) is that you can often place your tools and crampons anywhere. So usually no forced "high step" moves. And you can always pull on your tools.
Strangely full circle - North Conway is where I got my spinal cord injury, in an ice climbing leader fall (with no pro in). 35 years ago. And where Hugh Herr lost his feet shortly after, due to a winter open bivouac after stream breakthrough. Well, I guess many things happen where there is climbing!
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duncan
climber
London, UK
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Mar 13, 2013 - 04:44pm PT
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http://vimeo.com/48138177
Women's world para climbing champion Fran Brown trains at my local gym. She's very impressive.
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Schatzi
Social climber
Brooklyn
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Apr 27, 2013 - 09:23am PT
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Hey ya'll:
I had the lovely privilege of joining Wendy (thelittleunit) in Ouray this past March for some great ice climbing. I was there with NPR to profile Claudia Lopez, a photographer and the first Colombian woman to summit in the Himalayas, but Wendy's story moved me and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to document a little bit about her comeback.
Have a listen! Keep kicking ass Wendy!
http://www.futuromediagroup.org/lusa/2013/04/26/peak-shots/
Juliana
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Schatzi
Social climber
Brooklyn
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Apr 27, 2013 - 09:34am PT
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If you like the story -- post it on Facebook or wherever! I'd like to do more climbing related radio pieces :)
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Apr 29, 2013 - 07:51pm PT
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One of Juliana's shots of Wendy at Ouray.
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shady
Trad climber
hasbeen
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Apr 30, 2013 - 10:18pm PT
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Hey Clint, thanks for the pic-post.
Seeing The little unit, on route, is awesome.
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10b4me
Ice climber
Wishes-He-Was-In-Arizona
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Aug 28, 2013 - 12:00am PT
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Good for you Wendy
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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hey there say, all... thanks for the updates, as to
getting back out there, :)
nice shares... :)
very happy for her!
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Blakey
Trad climber
Sierra Vista
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This is just great. It's made my day!
Steve
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Bad Climber
climber
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Wow, from mega screamer to climbing again. Amazing. We're so happy for you! Although I'm sure you're pretty happy for yourself, too.
Climb strong, stay safe.
BAD
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| Messages 1 - 125 of total 125 in this topic |
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