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GoMZ
Trad climber
Paradise
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Topic Author's Original Post - Feb 5, 2007 - 05:32pm PT
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I heard there was an accident yesterday in the Gorge. I was down there but did not hear or see anything. Does anyone have any details.
Steve
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mini skirt
Ice climber
Bishop, CA
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All I know was that it was fatal. Many bones were broken followed by cardiac arrest. My info is from the Search and Rescue guys.
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WBraun
climber
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Anybody know anything????
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Lurking Fear
Trad climber
Bishop, California
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Unfortunately the accident was fatal. My condolensces to the family and friends of the young man. Makes me wonder if climbing is worth the risk. Twenty six years of climbing and I still don't know the answer. Be safe, Andrew
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GhoulweJ
Trad climber
Sacramento, CA
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Any details as to what happened or who it was?
Very sad. I wish peace to the victim and strength to the survivors.
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GoMZ
Trad climber
Paradise
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 6, 2007 - 12:59am PT
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Oh man, I was hoping it wasn't true.
My condolences to the friends and family.
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hummingbyrd
climber
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I'm new to this forum, but have scouoring the internet trying to find out about a young friend who died somewhere in Inyo Cty? on Sunday - saw the posting about accident in Owns Gorge - sounds like the one: If so, he was 23 yrs old, from Appleton, WI, formerly from Waukesha, WI. Fell 110 feet, was breathing shallowly when his party got to him. Died either on way to hospital or in ER. Funeral will be Saturday in Appleton. I've known the family for over 35 years. Very sad. But, we will be reunited again, some day.
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Magritte
climber
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When I saw your sad note I called the Inyo Register. The Editor was kind enough to email what information she had. I'm including her email address:
climbing accident Inbox
"Darcy Ellis, Editor"
to me
More options 4:48 pm (1 minute ago)
This is all the information we have. Hope it helps.
Take care,
Darcy
Fatal fall in Gorge
A Wisconsin man is dead after falling an unforgiving 115 feet while
climbing in the Owens River Gorge over the weekend.
According to Captain Craig Williams with the California Department of
Forestry, which arrived on-scene about the same time as Symons
Ambulance, the victim fell about 4 p.m. from the popular China Wall in
the middle gorge, suffering major injuries in the process.
Mono County Sheriff’s Department Public Information Officer Shannon
Kendall said the man – identified by Inyo Coroner Leon Brune as Ian
Seevers Mack, 23, of Appleton, Wisc. – suffered multiple broken bones in
the fall and was taken by ambulance to Northern Inyo Hospital in Bishop.
Apparently, Mack was preparing to rappel down when he fell. He and a
climbing partner believed Mack was anchored to the gorge and it was as
the partner was preparing to take a photo of Mack that he suddenly fell,
Kendall said.
Climbers nearby reported hearing the call, “Off belay!” and responded
with a rescue litter to help get Mack to safety. Sadly, Mack’s injuries
proved too severe and he later died at the hospital.
The Inyo Register
Community newspaper for Inyo County. Published 3 times a week.
http://www.inyoregister.com/
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WBraun
climber
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Thanks for that information.
Huh? weird. Wonder if he was unclipped?
Condolences to all for the loss of Ian Mack.
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Magritte
climber
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Yes, condolences to his family and loved ones.
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Hardman Knott
Gym climber
Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley, Ca
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So sad.
God bless.
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marky
climber
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"115 unforgiving feet" is just awful. Granted, it's not the New York Times, but for christ's sake...
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pud
climber
Sportbikeville
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Sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Much too young to die.
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Crimpergirl
Social climber
St. Looney
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Very sad. I'm so sorry for those who knew him.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
one pass away from the big ditch
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Sometimes I feel like a tard checking others rig. The consequences are too great not to try.
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Jaybro
Social climber
The West
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Over the years I've made any number of mistakes that could have ended up this way. Be careful out there. Condolences to all involved.
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Greg Barnes
climber
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Condolences to friends & family - our thoughts are with you.
Somehow Bruce Lella survived a similar fall at Owens some years ago (from the top of the Pub Wall). Unfortunately, from that height few people make it, let alone climb again.
When I talked to a housemate in Bishop yesterday, he said that the fall was from the top of Love Stinks at the Banana Belt, but the article reports China Wall.
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Jay
Trad climber
Fort Mill, SC
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Been way too busy to hang around here lately, but I was excited to see Chris’s ST Newsletter in my inbox. The first thing I saw was this… not so excited anymore.
Hello to everyone, and be safe. Blessings to family and friends.
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Jerry Dodrill
climber
Bodega, CA
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Sorry to hear this news.
Those routes get soooo much traffic. I have to wonder about the integrity of the anchor and why he decided to rap vs. lower. Perhaps he just came un-clipped? This past fall I reached up to clip the anchor of Yellow Peril only to find the stainless FIXE biner worn completely through. Luckily there were three bolts and the others were decent looking Mussy Hooks. I put some cash in the box at Wilsons...
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