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jewedlaw
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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Topic Author's Original Post - Dec 1, 2008 - 02:38pm PT
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http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/12/01/state/n101313S67.DTL&tsp=1
A 33-year-old-woman has died while making her first climb of Mount Shasta.
Susan Gravenkamp, a spokeswoman with the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Department, says the woman slipped and fell between 600 feet and 1,500 feet while climbing with two men.
The three were climbing the Avalanche Gulch route Friday on the southwest side of the mountain and were at an elevation of about 11,300 feet. None wore a helmet.
The woman's companions administered CPR after reaching her and flagged down two other climbers who activated a personal locator beacon.
Gravenkamp says the woman's identity and hometown are not being released until authorities can reach her family.
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I haven't climbed Shasta yet but it's certainly on my list. Isn't this a little out of season to be climbing Avalanche Gulch? Is there even any snow below the summit?
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Nefarius
Big Wall climber
somewhere without avatars.........
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Bummer.
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Gene
climber
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Avalanche Gulch is the basin on the right.
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jewedlaw
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 1, 2008 - 02:53pm PT
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Thanks for the photo. I guess winter hasn't been as dry as San Francisco has been.
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rhyang
climber
SJC
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Actually, helmets are very important on AG, because of rock & ice fall (natural & otherwise) from the Red Banks. The first time I did the route I almost got nailed on the descent by a rock kicked down by some yahoo in one of the chutes.
RIP.
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Leo Gokovski
climber
AZ
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How come every time you read about an accident that is related to climbing there is always some smart*ss who presume to know all about the climber's level of skill ?
It is true that self arresting saved many lives, but to jump into a speculative discussion on the climber's skills so close to the time of death seems disrespectful.
I'd like to extend my condolences to the family, friend and the climbing community for losing a member.
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crøtch
climber
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There has been plenty of rockfall on Avalanche Gulch since the last snowfall.
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Leo Gokovski
climber
AZ
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True. Depending on the condition of the snow and how fast the climber accelerate.
Sometimes self arresting is all but possible.
That is my point, we shouldn't assume anything, as many skilled and experienced climbers perished in accidents. the best we can do is respect the victim, support the family and friends, and wait until we have evidence as to what happened so we can learn from it. speculating without knowing any of the fact is nothing but an attempt to boost one's ego...
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rhyang
climber
SJC
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Randy, underneath the snow on Shasta (when there is snow) is lots of unstable rubble at the angle of repose. The Red Banks is just one source of crap. I wear a helmet any time I am climbing that mountain.
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Leo Gokovski
climber
AZ
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Nefarius, I'm not being a dick. I also don't have all day to sit by the screen. I just wonder, If the poor woman's mother was reading this forum, would you have still speculate on her skill level? Would you tell it to her face that it's her daughter's incompetence (as you implied in your comment ) that brought her to her death ? Or would you politely tell her that you are sorry for her lose ?
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Leo Gokovski
climber
AZ
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Look, I'm sorry if I'm coming on strong. I happened to hold in my arms an experienced female climber who simply made a mistake and fell to her death. I happened to be the first responder and felt life slipping away as I was administering CPR. I would that anyone, no matter how experienced, can make a mistake. I know I had a few close calls, and even super heroes like Skinner (RIP) apparently make mistakes.
What you wrote seemed to have struck a sensitive spot.
Sorry for any offense, and I hope you get my point.
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Leo Gokovski
climber
AZ
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will do, Mike. Thank for keeping me in check. I was trying to make a point, and it is a strong sentence. I'll try to mellow it down.
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Nefarius
Big Wall climber
somewhere without avatars.........
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Point taken, as well. Thanks Mike. Sorry, Leo. :)
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Gene
climber
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It’s always sad when a life is lost in the hills. Sometimes we face situations we don’t anticipate or can’t control. My best wishes to her family and friends.
We try to understand and, hopefully, learn. Ours is an unforgiving game.
GM
Edit:
Thanks Leo, Randy and Mike.
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Nefarius
Big Wall climber
somewhere without avatars.........
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As is to be expected, Dingus understands the point I was making and says it much better.
Your words are wise too, Gene.
I'm always learning here. I like that.
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Leo Gokovski
climber
AZ
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I know it sounds like a terribly washed out cliche, but....
I take solace in knowing that all of the victims of climbing accident chose to be there, enjoy the fresh air, the freedom of the hills and engaged in something that they were not only passionate about but also defined them in a way. I take comfort in knowing
that prior to the accidents, the climbers had a good day, and that there is no other place they would have rather been....
Peace,
Leo
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ontheedgeandscaredtodeath
Trad climber
San Francisco, Ca
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I used to ski and climb on Shasta all the time without a helmet.
I also knew someone who was a way above average climber who was killed in a similar accident.
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Lightgirl
climber
Mendocino, Ca
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Very sad news. My condolences to the family and friends.
Leo, I agree with what you just said. John Muir would say something to that extent after narrowly surviving some of his adventures. I feel sad for her friends that she was with.
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pud
climber
Sportbikeville
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My sincere condolences to the family and friends of this fellow climber.
I don't know how to express this very well but I feel sorrow for your pain and suffering caused by this tremendous loss.
--wayne
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Al_T.Tude
Trad climber
Monterey, CA
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Ascending Avalance Gulch often involves the popular game "Bowling For Climbers". Putting oneself in this zone sans helmet is an activity best practiced by those without dependents.
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