Wow. Deja Vu. I took that exact same fall line on July 4, 2002 while climbing solo. I let my mind wander, made a bad step on bulletproof ice and next thing I know I was a rag doll in space. My ice axe buried into my right knee, by right crampon somehow found itself into my upper left shoulder, and I smashed my head on a big bullock of ice. But in the end, after more than 300 feet of out of control "Im Gonna Die" experience, and the physical damage noted above, I was able to get myself back to Helen, apply first aid, and limp all the way back to the truck and Burger King for a double whopper. After reading this account by Brian, I now realise how lucky I was, especially since there wasn't anyone around to help me (on July 4th, the place was a ghost town) as only 3 other climbers were on the route that morning. I learned one thing that sticks with me...when you climb solo, you need to have 110% concentration all the time, even on easy slopes...and you have to be willing to pay the piper if you choose the solitude and joy that comes with solo climbing. In the case outlined by Brian, this guy was lucky he was climbing with others and that other people were around. I hope he is doing better and makes a full recovery and will be out in the mountains again soon. Thanks for the report Brian.
Brian, thanks for the good read. I bet you know your cell phone number now. Guess same goes to operating the GPS.
Makes me wonder how many people are still able to correctly operate all their electronic equipment in an emergency situation. And when I see all the nice buttons on some avalanche gear ...
Well done and well written. You did everything "right" for the guy and helped out SAR immensely. I applaude your preparedness, coolness of mind, and eagerness to help. You should be proud...
Its simply amazing as the world become more selfish and the "All about me" attitude becomes more common that are community of outdoor ethusiast are always there for the fellow members. It may not seem like much but i cant recall how many times i've heard stories about how people are left for for dead in the city, and people just stood by and watched.
Thanks for sharing this. You can tell you took time to compile this narrative based on what you know and can surmise about the situation. Kudos for restraining yourself from wild speculation and hyperbole. Well written.
I appreciate the kind comments, and I apologize for not responding to you individually. I enjoyed writing this report, and knowing that you enjoyed reading it makes it all the more worthwhile. I have it from an unverified source that the victim was treated and released that same night. I'm trying to follow up, so I can write a "happy ending" to the story. That same source indicates the slide may have been even much longer than the hundreds of feet shown on my diagram, possibly beginning way up to the right of the Heart!!! He was just below the Heart when I first noticed him, but already travelling at a high speed. So, thanks again for the comments, and be safe.
Edit = I inserted a new photo showing the last few hundred feet of the slide, and circled the location where he finally stopped.
story and well documented in a nice, everyman's style. I am going to show it to my adopted boy scout troop that I was trying to explain the dangers of uncontrolled glisading to this past weekend.
The pic of the helicopter is very familiar! They flew out a person too when I was there July of 2006. That time they landed at 50/50. It wasn't very encouraging as we had to head up the day after.
I also remember cramponing up the slopes below the red banks thinking falling there wouldn't be good in the icy night snow. Even in the afternoon with the snow softening up, it's amazing how much speed you can pick up glissading down!
Hope all is well! Good he actually didn't slide on the steepest part...
Nicely written......and kudos for helping as much as you did! I'm happy to read that "Vince" recovered. We can never stop learning from our mistakes. Shasta is a beautiful mountain, I was there in May '05.
MtnAv8r - Feb 7, 2007 6:41 pm - Hasn't voted
Deja VuWow. Deja Vu. I took that exact same fall line on July 4, 2002 while climbing solo. I let my mind wander, made a bad step on bulletproof ice and next thing I know I was a rag doll in space. My ice axe buried into my right knee, by right crampon somehow found itself into my upper left shoulder, and I smashed my head on a big bullock of ice. But in the end, after more than 300 feet of out of control "Im Gonna Die" experience, and the physical damage noted above, I was able to get myself back to Helen, apply first aid, and limp all the way back to the truck and Burger King for a double whopper. After reading this account by Brian, I now realise how lucky I was, especially since there wasn't anyone around to help me (on July 4th, the place was a ghost town) as only 3 other climbers were on the route that morning. I learned one thing that sticks with me...when you climb solo, you need to have 110% concentration all the time, even on easy slopes...and you have to be willing to pay the piper if you choose the solitude and joy that comes with solo climbing. In the case outlined by Brian, this guy was lucky he was climbing with others and that other people were around. I hope he is doing better and makes a full recovery and will be out in the mountains again soon. Thanks for the report Brian.
Arthur Digbee - Feb 8, 2007 11:35 am - Voted 10/10
great storyNot only quite a story but a well-written report too. Thanks, and I'm glad all ended well.
Mtn.Goat - Feb 8, 2007 12:45 pm - Voted 9/10
good storyThanks for such a great story. I often head out solo and reading this definitely made me realize how careful you have to be when out alone.
SusanM - Feb 8, 2007 12:49 pm - Voted 10/10
Well writtenI enjoyed reading of your experience. Thank goodness you were there to assist, and for reiterating the importance of preparation.
zempo - Feb 8, 2007 1:35 pm - Hasn't voted
electronics and stressBrian, thanks for the good read. I bet you know your cell phone number now. Guess same goes to operating the GPS.
Makes me wonder how many people are still able to correctly operate all their electronic equipment in an emergency situation. And when I see all the nice buttons on some avalanche gear ...
climbxclimb - Feb 8, 2007 1:56 pm - Voted 10/10
Very good reportVery well written,
and good job on the assistance to the victim.
blouie - Feb 8, 2007 2:02 pm - Voted 10/10
Well writtenGreat trip report
tradmonkey - Feb 8, 2007 3:38 pm - Hasn't voted
NiceWell done and well written. You did everything "right" for the guy and helped out SAR immensely. I applaude your preparedness, coolness of mind, and eagerness to help. You should be proud...
evolution_star - Feb 8, 2007 6:35 pm - Voted 10/10
CommendableIts simply amazing as the world become more selfish and the "All about me" attitude becomes more common that are community of outdoor ethusiast are always there for the fellow members. It may not seem like much but i cant recall how many times i've heard stories about how people are left for for dead in the city, and people just stood by and watched.
Kruck - Feb 8, 2007 6:53 pm - Voted 10/10
Well DoneThanks for sharing this. You can tell you took time to compile this narrative based on what you know and can surmise about the situation. Kudos for restraining yourself from wild speculation and hyperbole. Well written.
Pulsar - Feb 8, 2007 8:16 pm - Hasn't voted
ThrillingYou are a natural writer. I really enjoyed reading this one..
Dragger - Feb 8, 2007 10:20 pm - Voted 10/10
Thank you...... you are a talented writer. Thank you for sharing this.
brianhughes - Feb 8, 2007 10:46 pm - Hasn't voted
Thank you ...I appreciate the kind comments, and I apologize for not responding to you individually. I enjoyed writing this report, and knowing that you enjoyed reading it makes it all the more worthwhile. I have it from an unverified source that the victim was treated and released that same night. I'm trying to follow up, so I can write a "happy ending" to the story. That same source indicates the slide may have been even much longer than the hundreds of feet shown on my diagram, possibly beginning way up to the right of the Heart!!! He was just below the Heart when I first noticed him, but already travelling at a high speed. So, thanks again for the comments, and be safe.
Edit = I inserted a new photo showing the last few hundred feet of the slide, and circled the location where he finally stopped.
davis2001r6 - Feb 9, 2007 3:33 am - Hasn't voted
Wow!Very well written report. It's great knowing there are people like you on the mountain!
ktnbs - Feb 9, 2007 3:45 am - Hasn't voted
most excellentstory and well documented in a nice, everyman's style. I am going to show it to my adopted boy scout troop that I was trying to explain the dangers of uncontrolled glisading to this past weekend.
AviP - Feb 9, 2007 3:43 pm - Hasn't voted
You must be a writer!Great story! Hope you make the summit next time.
William Marler - Feb 9, 2007 8:07 pm - Voted 10/10
Good readThanks for the report. Good read. Glad it worked out.
oluskydiver - Feb 10, 2007 1:53 am - Hasn't voted
oh manwhat a story, very well put together.
Luciano136 - Feb 10, 2007 5:14 am - Voted 10/10
Great TR!The pic of the helicopter is very familiar! They flew out a person too when I was there July of 2006. That time they landed at 50/50. It wasn't very encouraging as we had to head up the day after.
I also remember cramponing up the slopes below the red banks thinking falling there wouldn't be good in the icy night snow. Even in the afternoon with the snow softening up, it's amazing how much speed you can pick up glissading down!
Hope all is well! Good he actually didn't slide on the steepest part...
CORDILLERAORIENTAL - Feb 11, 2007 7:52 pm - Voted 9/10
Great Trip ReportNicely written......and kudos for helping as much as you did! I'm happy to read that "Vince" recovered. We can never stop learning from our mistakes. Shasta is a beautiful mountain, I was there in May '05.