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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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" however, everyone should know that there are rescue litters stationed at several locations around tahquitz and suicide and maintained there by the SCMA for use in emergencies just like this one."
Last time I noticed them, the SCMA litters were positioned to the right as you approach the base of Lunch Rock, and covered with a green tarp. Very annoyingly, they also had a chain and lock around them. WTF, over?
For many years, there was a litter at the top of the Friction Slabs descent, tied to that scrub oak- at some point, it stopped being located there, though I did find one at the base of the slabs about 10 years ago (someone probably lugged it that far, and just didn't get it to the top for whatever reason).
There was a Miller Board at Lunch Rock up until a few years ago- (Miller Boards are yellow plastic, with split legs- some prefer them because they will nest easily into a Stokes Litter). Then it disappeared, and there's been nothing there for the last few years.
The litters at Tahquitz & Suicide have been historically replaced (post-rescue) by a combined effort of RMRU and the local climbing community. RMRU's been facing membership challenges in recent years that have affected their ability to keep this up, and the climbing community seems to have fallen back as well. (I did personally replace them both at Suicide & Tahquitz/Lunch Rock about 3 years ago, but have slacked since then.)
Post-rescue, the litters usually are kept at the Idyllwild Fire Department- they stash them on top of a large shipping container in the rear of their yard. IFD does not replace them, however- this would seem to be a task where the local climbing community really needs to step back up. Next time you go to Idyllwild, you might consider dropping by the IFD and see if you can help lug one up (it can be done alone if you're really motivated, but it's easier with two persons).
Edit: BTW, the regular post-season removal of the litters would be a very good idea- here's what happened to a couple of the litters at Suicide when they sat there over the winter, with a particularly big snowpack:
http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/1162166/Suicide-Litters
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Tony Bird
climber
Northridge, CA
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good update, apogee. seems like more rescues going on and not enough litters to go around.
good to hear your report too, dave. rescues can be tricky. navid pulled through a pretty grim situation, and it sounds like he got the very best of help from everyone.
if you look in some of the old climbing how-to books, you'll see how to make a rope litter by weaving a climbing rope into a net. make sure it doesn't come apart when someone's in it.
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05-12-12 Navid
Sport climber
Los Angeles
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Jun 16, 2012 - 06:19am PT
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Dave I am super excited to hear From you. I am very happy to finally after a month of searching for you now I have a name and your contact info. I know that Barry was one of the key factors in my rescue and trust me, I couldn't have thanked him enough for doing what he did up there and also helping me and being by my throughout the recovery process. Your case for me is a bit diffrent than barry tho! Barry was my partner and he was there with me till the one person who I was waiting for 1.5 hrs showed up. I was sitting up there almost ready to give up when you showed up and convinced me to climb down with you. till today I reffared to you as either my rescuer or the guy in the red Tshirt. Thank you for what you've done for me and hope I can make it up to you soon. I know that if it wasnt because of the team work between Barry, you, Cal fire, the rescue team, the trauma team at the hospital and everyone else involved I would not be here. I truly want to thank everyone for their help and support.
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Tony Bird
climber
Northridge, CA
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Jun 16, 2012 - 09:40am PT
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nice to see you on this report again, navid.
while you're healing up, you might be interested to look at a thread i started on here recently called the third man factor, and maybe even get ahold of the book by the same name. sounds like you encountered a third man, and his name is dave.
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Tobia
Social climber
Denial
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Jun 16, 2012 - 09:51am PT
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The rope damage looks as bad as Karl Baba's last year on the Captain. Scary stuff.
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Jason Kim
Trad climber
San Diego, CA
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Jun 16, 2012 - 07:47pm PT
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Glad to hear you are recovering... Speaking of rockfall, there was a pretty big event this morning (based on the sound of it) at approximately 7 am. My partner and I were planning to climb on White Maiden but decided to head to Suicide instead. It gave me the willies since this recent incident was already on my mind.
Wondering if anyone happens to know what area the rockfall this morning occurred?
For you experienced Tahquitz old-timers (that is meant with respect), do you believe the rockfall has increased recently, or about the same as always? I'm just getting into it and I love the area, but this keeps me up at night...
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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Jun 16, 2012 - 08:09pm PT
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For you experienced Tahquitz old-timers (that is meant with respect), do you believe the rockfall has increased recently,
Natural rockfall there is incredibly rare compared to say the Sierras.
I think this accident may be only the second one caused by natural rockfall. Possibly the only one.
Climber induced rockfall though has become quite common. BITD everyone learned to climb light and test holds. Now everyone expects every hold to be as solid as one in a gym secured by a 3/8" grade 8 bolt.
I think I've seen a serious close call on an adjacent route at least once a year for the last ten, involving blocks from toaster to hotel refrigerator size.
Tahquitz is an ALPINE crag, even given its close proximity to civilization.
Treat it as such. Test holds. Pay attention to where your rope is running. Don't yard on things like they are plastic. No problem.
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Spider Savage
Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
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Jun 16, 2012 - 08:16pm PT
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Plenty of loose rock on the North walls. The Lark's etc. Where a helmet and don't kill others.
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05-12-12 Navid
Sport climber
Los Angeles
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Hello everyone, hope you are all doing well. Its been a little over 6 months from my accident and recovery been going very well. I been back at the gym for the past month and hitting it full force. Again, I want to thank Dave, Barry and everyone else involved in my rescue and saving my life. If not because of you all I would not be here today. Wish you all an amazing holiday season and an amazing year to come. Thank you all again and again....
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