Jim Ewing injured while climbing at Cayman Brac

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COT

climber

Door Number 3

Topic Author's Original Post - Dec 28, 2014 - 07:31pm PT

Longtime NE climber Jim Ewing broke multiple bones while climbing at Cayman Brac. Apparently he was operated on and is now is cover ing in a Ft Lauderdale hospital.

No details in the article about the accident. I know Cayman Brac has had issue with bad bolts due to the salt water and such?

http://www.caymanreporter.com/2014/12/27/man-falls-bluff/

Ed Hartouni

Trad climber

Livermore, CA

Dec 28, 2014 - 07:58pm PT

hope Jim comes out of this fine... what a year!

Han Solo

Mountain climber

Limerick, Maine

Dec 28, 2014 - 08:38pm PT

Hi to all of Jim's climbing friends. I'm his brother Pete. We don't know much about the accident yet. I spoke with Cathy a few hours ago. She said he is alert but in a lot of pain. They are in Fort Lauderdale and Jim is in the ICU and headed for more surgery tomorrow. I'll post an update when we know more.

Edge

Trad climber

Betwixt and Between Nederland & Boulder, CO

Dec 28, 2014 - 08:40pm PT

Sending healing thoughts and well wishes. Stay strong, Jim!

emac

climber

New Hampshire

Dec 28, 2014 - 09:20pm PT

Thanks for the update, Pete. I heard of this today and was stunned. Hoping for more info from Cathy soon. Hang in there buddy!

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Dec 28, 2014 - 11:01pm PT

hey there, say... oh my... this is an awful to find, to see right now...

very sad to hear this...

all my prayers, going out, tonight for him...

in your corner, jim... hang in there, as good human tenacity does allow... and us all here, with our prayers will take up the slack...

dear cathi... never knew you name, yet, but always send you holiday wishes, and now, of course.. .many prayers for jim, and your family...
god bless...

Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber

Out Of Bed

Dec 29, 2014 - 01:28am PT

please all say a word out loud. the healing energy is within us all.
Sending the vibe is as easy as saying so so say
May Jim be okay and make a full recovery
say it out loud!

peace to us all and as the year ends and I raise a glass to toast to those we have to remember.

As has been said
to many were called home.
this has been a tough tuff year.
Tears flow and harts brake.
Be healed and soothed.
may your spirit be Brite.
peace

perswig

climber

Dec 29, 2014 - 04:39am PT

Damn, I thought wootles bounced?

Heal well and rapidly, Sterling Jim.
Dale

steveA

Trad climber

Wolfeboro, NH

Dec 29, 2014 - 05:20am PT

Sorry to hear this news.

Jim-heal up fast. We NE climbers are a tough bunch.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 29, 2014 - 07:37am PT

This is terrible news. Thinking of Jim and his family. Healing vibes to all.

Hans...I had no idea you were Jim's brother.

crøtch

climber

Dec 29, 2014 - 07:45am PT

Hoping for a speedy recovery.

Han Solo

Mountain climber

Limerick, Maine

Dec 29, 2014 - 08:36am PT

Crimpergirl, i'm sorry but I'm not sure I know you. did you see me on the peak bagging site Views From the Top? That was was my nickname there. I climbed once upon a time, but quit around the time Jim started climbing. I'm just a Peak Bagger these days. I just signed up here yesterday because when we found out Jim fell no one really new what happened so we decided to do a search for Cayman climbing accidents. one of us used google the other yahoo. the yahoo search found this thread. I probably have met several members of your climbing community over the years through Jim and thought I should chime in. He's pretty banged up and will likely be in Florida a while before he's ready to travel home. Thanks for the well wishes.

Just got a text after i posted previous reply from Cathy he is going into surgery shortly to have his pelvis and ankle fixed.

maldaly

Trad climber

Boulder, CO

Dec 29, 2014 - 08:50am PT

Damn, Jim. Quit trying to impress us. Heal up fast.
Mal

CathyKing

climber

Maine

Dec 29, 2014 - 09:05am PT

Hello all. Jim is stable enough for surgery today so we are waiting for him to go in to get his pelvis and left ankle fixed. It will be a long 6-8 hour surgery. He is currently very comfortabe, having been given Dilaudid for pain and Versed for pre- sedation.
From what we've pieced together, he was climbing with Maxine on the Dixon wall at Cayman Brac, fell while working a hard move, stopped momentarily, but then started falling again. Maxine was belaying him with the grigri, noticed it was not stopping him and grabbed the rope, which might very well have saved his life. She sustained minor rope burns on her hand, which have blistered. She is ok but it was traumatic, obviously. Katie Dott and John Haley were amazing. They were climbing nearby, got help, Katie stayed with Maxine in our rented condo overnight until I could fly Maxine to Grand Cayman. Jim was airlifted to Grand Cayman, had the first surgery that night to externally fixate his pelvis for stabiliZation until we could get him to the closest available Level 1 trauma center, which is where we are now, Broward in Fort Lauderdale.
We are not sure what happened that he fell. Yes the proper was threaded correctly. Yes the rope was a proper size for the Grigri. In any case, this is big the time for that discussion.
Thanks so much for all the well-wishes. It helps. Cathy, Jim's wife

rlf

Trad climber

Josh, CA

Dec 29, 2014 - 09:13am PT

Hope he mends well.

Was the GriGri threaded backwards? That's typically what happens with these types of accidents when that is the belay device.

There's a reason I always give those suckers a stiff tug on the climbers side before my partner leaves the ground.

Wishing him all the best.

CathyKing

climber

Maine

Dec 29, 2014 - 09:14am PT

The fall has been estimated at about 50 feet. I'm so grateful he's alive.
Pain control has been difficult; this surgery should make him much more comfortable. And when he's not in intolerable paim, he's got his Jim Ewing sense of humor! Xoxo

slabbo

Trad climber

colo south

Dec 29, 2014 - 09:19am PT

Damn..hang in there buddy.. f/a's are waiting for you !!

CathyKing

climber

Maine

Dec 29, 2014 - 09:28am PT

Maxine says the GriGri was threaded correctly, and Katie had checked it , too

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Dec 29, 2014 - 09:43am PT

Very sorry to hear of this accident - best wishes to Jim and his family for a solid and timely recovery.

The Petzl video posted earlier has some good information and is a helpful review.

WBraun

climber

Dec 29, 2014 - 09:59am PT

What diameter rope was used?

What grigri was used? (1st gen or 2 gen)

I know from experience some of the small diameter sterling ropes were remarkably slippery when combined in the first generation grigri.

You had to be very diligent with your belaying methods as to not have the rope slip thru when locked.

I've seen very worn grigri's which became dangerous to belay with.

The stainless steel on the main body can get grooved from dirty ropes and static lines.

I've grooved out two of them from dirty static lines over times.

Not saying any of these are factors in Jim's accident but check your devices.

Best wishes to your recovery Jim.

50 feet is a long ways to go to hit the ground, ugh!!

Big Mike

Trad climber

Dec 29, 2014 - 10:14am PT

Heal up Jim! You can do it!

Chiloe

Trad climber

Lee, NH

Dec 29, 2014 - 11:10am PT

We've been good friends and sometimes partners since Jim was 18, a high school climbing prodigy who quickly outpaced his mentors. Through the years I've watched him grow from an upwardly mobile young climber and guide to a rope designer, devoted husband and doting dad. All the while a great friend, smart and full of thoughts in conversation. Oh, and a rock steady partner.

In these rough days our hearts go out to Jim and his family, who are pulling together to pull through.

Largo

Sport climber

The Big Wide Open Face

Dec 29, 2014 - 11:16am PT

Jeeez. I feel your pain. Six hour surgeries are no fun. The pelvis usually mends pretty well and pretty fast. A bad ankle injury is always tricky. Hope he does ok with it. Jim is very good people.

JL

Sierra Ledge Rat

Mountain climber

Old and Broken Down in Appalachia

Dec 29, 2014 - 12:08pm PT

Heal quickly
That's an order

climber bob

Social climber

maine

Dec 29, 2014 - 12:21pm PT

So sorry to hear this. Jim is a top notch guy who once went at least 2 hrs out of his way to give me a ride home after my truck died at the Portland rock gym..hoping for a swift recovery and if there is anything I can do to help don't hesitate to ask..

wak

Mountain climber

Fryeburg, Maine

Dec 29, 2014 - 12:23pm PT

Stay strong, Cathy and Maxine, we will be thinking about you all, you're in our prayers. Jim's a tough guy, always has been, he'll do his best, whatever it takes. We're here when you come home, if you need help with anything call, we're not that far away.
Love,
Bill & JoAnne

labrat

Trad climber

Auburn, CA

Dec 29, 2014 - 12:40pm PT

Heal up soon. Good thoughts going your way.

People.
Please keep one hand firmly on the brake side of the belay device at all times. These types of accidents happen way too often with GriGri's and other types of "automatic self locking" belay devices. An ex of mine warned me 10 plus years ago of an accident at Hanger 18 that resulted in a broken back. I've seen a near miss that only burned a guys hand before it locked up.

Yet accidents continue ;-(
Get the word out. Watch the Petzl belay video!

Erik

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Dec 29, 2014 - 12:46pm PT

hey there say, cathy... say, thank you for the update...

for all of us here, just being in the know, a bit, helps us to hold on, as well, as to:

just being able to cheer back at you, when the good comes...

we, sadly, can't just reach over and make things well, but we SURE DO
WISH we could...

hugs and prayers, to you, and to all involved, as well...

this is when the circle of love, tightens in closer and helps comfort and
protect from sadness, worries and feeling helpless...

hang in there... hug each other, and 'talk it out' to get the inner
pressure out... good for children and good for adults... just sit and hug or talk, or both...

as to this quote, this is a good one:

And when he's not in intolerable paim, he's got his Jim Ewing sense of humor! Xoxo

Chiloe

Trad climber

Lee, NH

Dec 29, 2014 - 01:07pm PT

The human story here is Jim and his family, but for those who (like me) need to have a mental picture, this is Dixon's Wall on the Brac. The lower wall is vertical, getting more steep and cruxy at two-thirds height, as you see. Easiest route is 11b but Jim was probably not on that one.

And here's the unforgiving ground below. Not from my family or Jim's, this young guy was doing fine but no belay critiques please!

Splater

climber

Grey Matter

Dec 29, 2014 - 02:08pm PT

Sending my wishes for the best recovery!

also in case it helps anyone-
Petzl recall of some grigri 2 units from 2011
http://www.petzl.com/security/sport/recall-grigri-2?language=en#.VKHPeeEBAA

Chiloe

Trad climber

Lee, NH

Dec 29, 2014 - 02:35pm PT

Just talked with Jim who sounds remarkably cogent and determined, considering. He says it was a Grigri 2 with a new 9.5mm rope. The fall was short and should have been soft; device first seemed to stop him but then slipped, then arrested and slipped again several times during the fall.

Jim notes that his damage makes just a short list: fractured pelvis, fractured calcaneus, dislocated wrist, and ribs torn away from cartilage.

micronut

Trad climber

Fresno/Clovis, ca

Dec 29, 2014 - 02:40pm PT

Hoping for a rapid and complete recovery. I hope that he mends well and fully and soon and that we learn more about this accident in the coming days so that we can all be safer out there.

Scott

Chiloe

Trad climber

Lee, NH

Dec 29, 2014 - 02:43pm PT

so that we can all be safer out there

Here's an inobvious but suddenly huge thing that everyone ought to check (we just did): Your insurance, do you know what it covers?

perswig

climber

Dec 29, 2014 - 03:14pm PT

Thanks for the pics, Chiloe. I liked hearing his stories of climbing Whitehorse with his daughter. Figures they'd be regular Otter visitors, too.

For some reason, when I picture Jim, I've got an image of him on the roof pitch of Khazad-Dûm. Dunno if this is a real photo I've seen or just a mental fabrication, but it's there in my head.

Thank you, Cathy, for the updates. Good to hear his condition's stable enough to get the real rebuilding started. His engineer self is probably going to want torque values for the screws, fatigue graphs for the plates. Maybe some hardness readings.

Dale

SofCookay

climber

Dec 29, 2014 - 03:17pm PT

Wishing you a full and speedy recovery, Jim!

Cathy, thanks for posting the updates. Kate and I are keeping you, Maxine, and Jim in our thoughts and prayers.

Kate and I have had a bit of an issue with rope slippage using the GriGri2 and a rope that is new and pretty slick - so much so that we are not using the GriGri with it until the rope breaks in. I believe the rope is a 9.8mm (not Sterling, though).

Sonya

John Duffield

Mountain climber

New York

Dec 29, 2014 - 03:59pm PT

Good to hear he was able to make it back to the US promptly.

Big Mike

Trad climber

Dec 29, 2014 - 04:14pm PT

And here's the unforgiving ground below. Not from my family or Jim's, this young guy was doing fine but no belay critiques please!

Hand down, on the brake. He's good.

rlf

Trad climber

Josh, CA

Dec 29, 2014 - 04:31pm PT

That tugging hard on the climber's side of the rope negates the camming effect is also new information to me.

I have to vehemently disagree with that. The tugging works just fine. You just do the tug before they leave the ground, with some slack in the system. Once you're sure the device is solid the cam will rebound back.

The ultimate rule with Grigri's is that you do not treat any different the atc's etc. I've used them for twenty years, caught ton's falls, and never dropped anyone.

The only thing that I have seen cause a real issue with a grigri is if it is not clean of debris, small pebbles etc can cause the cam not to properly engage. Either way, the break hand is the ultimate tool.

I'll stick to my methods.

Bummer for the belayer. That has to be hard.

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Dec 29, 2014 - 05:01pm PT

That video is going to give me nightmares. Seriously.

Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber

Out Of Bed

Dec 30, 2014 - 03:21am PT

seriously,!? I have not watched it yet it had just showed up some where else as well.
Does this sound right?
the combination of the New rope(9.5-8.5still called?. skinny?) as well as the effect of the counter balance that an upended belayer might cause might have been a contributing factor.?
Or a blown bolt?! I can not link but time bomb bolts that corrode fast in marine settings?
Sand in the rig doesn't sound like Jim.
The Brac is known for these and I'm sure Jim was aware of the chance. But still that is some
Tropical paradise vacation. This east cost keeping up with the jones will kill you!<\;-)

Glad to hear all can be all better
The heel is a btich
and the ribs . . . hell all of it!, hydros and Oxys and stool softener ,
Going to be going to Colorado . . . down the road just saying 😽💤
Pay the belayer due attention PTSD. talk it thru again and again. If Need be get MD/Rx help.

Glad to hear that your 'up' and on the way back stay RED SOX tuff (RSox Rule)

wivanoff

Trad climber

Dec 30, 2014 - 06:23am PT

That tugging hard on the climber's side of the rope negates the camming effect is also new information to me.

I think you two are talking about two different things.

I understood that tugging hard on the climber's side of the rope AWAY from the GriGri to check it's operation is a "goodthing". Tugging hard on the climber's side of the rope TOWARDS the GriGri is what negates the camming effect and is a "badthing".

I'm not a GriGri user. Am I misunderstanding?

Edit: OK. From Petzl video on using the GriGri "If you grip the climber's side of the rope too tightly, you run the risk of reducing or even negating the grigri's braking ability."

Relavant MP thread http://www.mountainproject.com/v/another-accident-due-to-mis-use-of-the-gri-gri/109869225__1

Sorry for getting off topic. I hope Jim Ewing heals up quickly.

tradmanclimbs

Ice climber

Pomfert VT

Dec 30, 2014 - 07:37am PT

I believe you have it correct.

cowpoke

climber

Dec 30, 2014 - 09:00am PT

6-8 hours of surgery on the menu today. Send this beast, Jim.

I remember hearing stories of Jim before meeting him, both stories of the climber and the humble person run through NE climbing circles. Stories can’t stand up to the real deal with Jim, but this is a good place for them. Here is a short one:

Chiloe introduced me to Jim and Cathy for the first time at Rumney, pre-Maxine (they had a greyhound at the time = “we aren’t parents yet, so we’ll love this dog like a kid”). Larry and I were taking turns on Barking Spiders (I’m sure I was hanging at the crux, as per usual) and there were a couple teenagers flailing on Valley Daze, which I think at the time was rated 11d but has since been upgraded to 12a (and seems to still have a sandbag reputation when I checked on MP).

The kids eventually lowered off leaving a carabiner, and a series of excuses. Apparently, the key hold had broken off and the climb was most definitely not send-able.

As they were pulling their rope, Cathy and Jim walked up. Listening to the repeating story of the broken hold, Jim asked if he could give it a go to check out the damage – I really think he was genuinely interested in seeing the broken hold more than climbing the climb. Those who’ve climb with Jim will relate to what I watched = poised, methodical (if not slow) moves with lots of looking at the rock and careful brushing with his finger tips as if on some geological or archeological exploration…and continuing whatever conversation we’d started and would have stopped long ago for most leaders. He climbed to the carabiner, looked at the “broken key hold”, brushed at it and around it, and generously without a hint of arrogance said something to the effect of “yeah, definitely, looks like something broke off here.” Then, he clipped, made a graceful move to the next hold, and finished his on-sight, continuing the conversation about the health of the planet or whatever.

It would be years later that me and my girls really got to know and spend time with Jim, Cathy, and Maxine. Of his admirable traits, the one standing out well above his gift for hard climbing is his love for Maxine and Cathy; and, as a family, they are second to none = loving, generous, and always up for fun. And, we can’t wait to get their asses back to NE to love them up, proper.

Send this beast, Jim.

cowpoke

climber

Dec 30, 2014 - 09:06am PT

Dale,
It wasn't a dream. Jim started one of the all time great ST threads: http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/442409/Then-came-a-CLIMBING-photo-thread

cowpoke

climber

Dec 30, 2014 - 09:12am PT

stolen from the OP of the then came a photo thread (emac photog for the second?)

cowpoke

climber

Dec 30, 2014 - 09:39am PT

Jim and Maxine.

Chiloe

Trad climber

Lee, NH

Dec 30, 2014 - 09:39am PT

Grigri safety deserves much thought and discussion of course, but maybe not right now in this thread? Supertopo has many other rooms.

emac

climber

New Hampshire

Dec 30, 2014 - 10:03am PT

Thanks for the story, cowpoke. That is so genuinely Jim!

angelcayman

Mountain climber

George Town

Dec 30, 2014 - 10:59am PT

I was on the same crag a week before the incident, I live in Grand Cayman, Brac sister island. The bolds in the Brac has been replace for titanium, making it is super safe and solid.

It was on Cayman 27 TV news as well, all the climbers in Cayman was very worry about Jim and what happen, we are sending our love to him and his family and wishing a fast recovery.

But just wonder if the grigri was using reversed? if not, you need to report to incident to petzl.

Peace & Love
Angel

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Dec 30, 2014 - 04:55pm PT

hey there say, angelcayman...

say, as to this quote:

It was on Cayman 27 TV news as well, all the climbers in Cayman was very worry about Jim and what happen, we are sending our love to him and his family and wishing a fast recovery.

THIS is what i love so much about the climber community, from all over the world:

the deep care and concern for others, that get injured or fallen into troubles, ... hearing the news, leads to real care and compassion and not just 'some sensation' as it seems to pushed, to do, by many media systems...

thank you for sharing a look, in to this kindness of the community...

couchmaster

climber

Dec 30, 2014 - 07:27pm PT

Sounds like a hard hit. Don't want to needlessly ramble about Grigris, just want to say: wishing you quick and full healing Jim.

Jim E

climber

away

Dec 31, 2014 - 10:25pm PT

hi everyone and happy new year. trying to dose off after stuffing my face with a big yummy burrito.
thanks for all the well wishes, healing thoughts, and prayers.
I get another surgery on Monday to fix my wrist and or ankle a little bit more.

what we are struggling with, at the moment. is the logistics of getting me and the armada of medical equipment from Florida to Maine. if anyone has experience in this area please let us know.

again, thanks for all the positve thoughts.

cheers,
jim

Ed Hartouni

Trad climber

Livermore, CA

Dec 31, 2014 - 10:43pm PT

great to "hear" your voice, Jim!

best healing thoughts are flowing your way...

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Dec 31, 2014 - 11:45pm PT

hey there say, jim... happy new year, back to you...

praying for a good trip, back home... :)

Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber

Out Of Bed

Jan 1, 2015 - 10:30am PT

Jim there is a branch of the Cleveland Clinic in Florida?. The Cleveland Clinic is a A+ ,
In the top five or six in the nation for most needs. Make lemonade and get their opinion.
They would be the best informed on ambulette service, and how all that works.
When you are in their system medical transport should be routine for them.

Big Mike

Trad climber

Jan 1, 2015 - 11:04am PT

The ultimate rule with Grigri's is that you do not treat any different the atc's etc. I've used them for twenty years, caught ton's falls, and never dropped anyone.

Yes! But we were having this discussion on the "attractive belayer" thread. Not here please.

rlf

Trad climber

Josh, CA

Jan 1, 2015 - 02:10pm PT

Message received, understood.

johntp

Trad climber

socal

Jan 1, 2015 - 02:16pm PT

Jim- never met ya but glad to see you are back and posting up. Heal up fast.

emac

climber

New Hampshire

Jan 1, 2015 - 06:27pm PT

Let's get Jim Ewing home to Maine!

Jim has been a long time figure in New England climbing, and on this board as 'wootles' also. As Cathy noted, he has undergone multiple surgeries with a couple still to go. Unfortunately, his travel home is considered non-medical so insurance won't help... and he must be transported prone in a hospital bed. The out of pocket costs have been estimated between $6,000 (van) and over $18,000 (air ambulance), and I've spent all day trying to squirrel out options and favors. A gofundme fundraiser account has been setup by Sam Morton (a co-worker) so that friends and family can help bring Jim home. Jim has contributed so much to the climbing community -- whether in person, online through his rope engineering expertise or through one of the many routes and crags he has pioneered. Please consider contributing:

https://www.gofundme.com/jimewing

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jan 1, 2015 - 06:42pm PT

Worthy bump!

John M

climber

Jan 1, 2015 - 08:07pm PT

how about buying a cheap van, and a hospital bed on craigslist. That way you can sell the van and the bed once you are in maine. You can get a cheap hospital bed on craigslist for about 300 dollars used.

your up front costs might be 2 or 3 thousand, but you could recoup most of that when you sell everything.

I think this would work.

http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/cto/4810476950.html

You would have to make sure a bed would fit. Most hospital beds have a standard size of 84 inches in length, from what I could find on the internet. You could cut the lgts off if they are too tall.

this bed has 9 volt electric motor with battery back up. So you wouldn't have to figure out how to run it in the van. Just need battery charger.

http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/for/4771609820.html

Edit: this is just a suggestion. I don't know if a bed would fit.

GDavis

Social climber

SOL CAL

Jan 1, 2015 - 08:21pm PT

Damn, that's terrible. All the best, eat well heal fast and be with friends.

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Jan 1, 2015 - 08:31pm PT

hey there say, all... hopes and prayers, that something works out...
thanks for sharing and getting this info out...

emac

climber

New Hampshire

Jan 1, 2015 - 08:46pm PT

Great suggestion John M! Lots of cogs spinning, and all suggestions are good ones to toss into the mix.

Chiloe

Trad climber

Lee, NH

Jan 2, 2015 - 08:03am PT

Jim Ewing with Joe Herbst in Owens Gorge, 1997.

There's been a heartwarming response to the GoFundMe campaign started by Sam Morton, Jim's colleague at Sterling Rope, to help out Jim's family with the huge non-insured cost of getting Jim back to Maine. The fund passed its original (modest) goal in 16 hours and still growing. Many thanks to Sam for starting this, and to all who contributed and shared the link.

http://www.gofundme.com/jimewing?fb_action_ids=10205735133281375&fb_action_types=og.shares&fb_ref=fb_cr_n

Wen

Trad climber

Bend, OR

Jan 2, 2015 - 08:28am PT

Has anyone called Angel Flight? I don't know if they take patients in critical condition, but would be worth a phone call, the organization is amazing for people with ongoing medical conditions that need to get to treatment. Here's their link:

http://www.angelflighteast.org/

Good luck getting back so you can start the next phase of healing, Jim.

climbski2

Mountain climber

Anchorage AK, Reno NV

Jan 2, 2015 - 08:34am PT

Looks like funding is coming along nicely. How much does it cost to charter a Twin Otter these days? Will he need a medical staff and kit? Unless the charter has some type of insurance issue with medical patients I would think hiring a paramedic and chartering a flight might be a lot less than the $18000 mentioned above.

I would look into that.

WBraun

climber

Jan 2, 2015 - 08:35am PT

Angel Flight East

Passengers are required to be medically stable and ambulatory

(able to walk and get in and out of the aircraft with little or no assistance).

Chiloe

Trad climber

Lee, NH

Jan 2, 2015 - 09:03am PT

And looking through my slides I found this photo of Cathy (with Jim background left), at Rifle in 1996. She's been working her heart out this week to keep everything together.

neebee

Social climber

calif/texas

Jan 2, 2015 - 09:33am PT

hey there say, cathy... hang in there, we are all rooting for you and praying , and or well wishing and hoping and so much more...

emac

climber

New Hampshire

Jan 2, 2015 - 10:53am PT

^^^We have contacted Angel Flight NE and I am waiting to hear back from Patient Airlift Services... As well as reaching out to some private charter services. The challenge I am running into with several charter services is that their insurance (of those I have been in contact with) requires the individual to be self-mobile. We have folks willing to fly Jim home, but he needs something larger than a Cessna Skylane, for example. Something that can fit a hospital bed, or equivalent. Anyone have a Cargo Master??? I also have someone willing to drive him just short of New England in his air ride equipped rig, but he's not licensed to travel in the northeast. Thanks!

Wen

Trad climber

Bend, OR

Jan 2, 2015 - 05:09pm PT

Angel Flight folks have big hearts, I'm hoping if you can talk to them that a pilot will step up. My husband has flown several patients here on the west coast, some minimally ambulatory (though never in a full bed).

Fingers crossed someone will help out....

Starman

Trad climber

Sterling, MA

Jan 5, 2015 - 02:57pm PT

Hey folks,

Gotta say, the climbing community IMHO is pretty awesome. The GoFundMe account that was set up for Jim (see emac and Chiloe's posts above) reported that over $20K has been pledged as of today (just over 3 days??)

He's gonna get home as was hoped.

That, my friends, is the Real Deal :)

I'll add my thanks too...
Steve

Chiloe

Trad climber

Lee, NH

Jan 5, 2015 - 05:07pm PT

Gotta say, the climbing community IMHO is pretty awesome. The GoFundMe account that was set up for Jim (see emac and Chiloe's posts above) reported that over $20K has been pledged as of today (just over 3 days??)

I think everyone is happily amazed the "Get Jim Ewing back to Maine" GoFundMe got such a warm response. This will really make a difference.

But for now still in Ft Lauderdale, Jim went through another round of surgery today, this one for his wrist. Ankle surgery still ahead, they're slowly putting him back together again.

Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber

Out Of Bed

Jan 5, 2015 - 07:13pm PT

Hey all . .. .. Way To Go!!

emac

climber

New Hampshire

Jan 7, 2015 - 12:57pm PT

THANK YOU everyone who donated to the www.gofundme.com/jimewing fund that was setup. Totally blown away by the outpouring of support, and I know that Jim and Cathy are too!

This morning it sounded like Jim might be able to make the journey home at the end of this week after his next to last surgery this past Monday, but it sounds like he will need to be in FL at least another week. This is crap news. But, Jim is a fighter, and managed to fit in a chair for the first time since the accident yesterday. It's crazy the difference a shave and sitting up can make!

We are all excited for him to get home and be among his family. Thank you again for everyone who contributed already. If you're considering donating still please do... There is still a long road ahead!

couchmaster

climber

Jan 7, 2015 - 01:49pm PT

$21,521 of 20k needed raised on the gofund site!? That's awesome: must be good living and treating folks right Jim:-). Congrats and heal up fast.

Jim.. might be too early to query this" did you just get dropped? Not equipment malfunction or some other mechanical issue?

emac

climber

New Hampshire

Jan 7, 2015 - 06:05pm PT

Long road ahead, both physically and financially. Looks like they had to drop $26,000 on a credit card to get him out of the caymans and back to FL... excluding all of the surgeries in FL. $20k seems like a drop in the bucket now...

slabbo

Trad climber

colo south

Jan 8, 2015 - 06:52am PT

Still $$$ needed for sure. Damn my med flight was 33K and that was only 150 miles..even a good insurance may only pay 25% a med flight

Chiloe

Trad climber

Lee, NH

Jan 16, 2015 - 09:25am PT

Our guy is flying home today, wintry New England conditions set to greet him. Memories of warmer days, this is Jim making the first free ascent of Last Laugh (5.12c) at Crag Y in 1988:

Everyone, Jim most of all, of course wants to know just what happened. The best published account I've seen so far is in Climbing, excerpt below.

Compounding the tragic circumstances: Ewing’s 13-year-old daughter, Maxine, was belaying him when the accident happened. Ewing said his daughter “has belayed me for years with no problems, mostly using Grigris.”

Before climbing, Ewing built a ground anchor to compensate for the fact that he outweighed his daughter by nearly 70 pounds. The anchor consisted of slings wrapped under a boulder and clipped together with a quickdraw, which was then clipped to the bottom of her harness belay loop. The Grigri 2 belay device was attached normally to the belay loop with a locking carabiner. The Grigri, inspected after the accident, was set up and threaded correctly. Ewing was leading on a 9.5mm rope, well within the Grigri 2’s specs.

“She knows very well about keeping her hand on the brake side of the rope, and not to grab the rope with the left hand,” Ewing said. During the fall, Maxine suffered rope burns on her brake hand (right hand), presumably as she tried to arrest the rope while her father fell. She had no burns on her left hand.

One witness speculated that the belayer's anchor carabiner or quickdraw might somehow have interfered with the Grigri and prevented it from locking as designed.

“We’re all confused as to what happened, and when I get back on my feet I will try to run some simulations to try to figure it out,” Ewing said. “Small-diameter ropes have a tendency not to lock instantly with the Grigri 2 every time. It’s something you have to watch and make sure the brake hand is maintained at all times.”

Ewing’s other advice to climbers in the aftermath of his accident is to always carry travel insurance with a medical evacuation provision when climbing in another country. “Air ambulances are insanely expensive,” he said.