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all gung ho
climber
Yosemite, CA
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Topic Author's Original Post - Dec 15, 2006 - 04:02pm PT
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When you’re alone, and cold, and everything seems to hurt, it’s amazing how remote even unremote places can feel. I was no more than 10 or 15 minutes from the road (maybe 20 if you’re in the kind of shape I was trying to get out of), on my freaking lunch break no less, and yet, unable to walk, clutching my husband’s fleece shirt around me, and staring up at the sky, seconds pass like hours, and minutes like days. I looked down at my watch as my husband ran for help. 1:00 pm.
The boulder was 3-4 feet around, and I had barely touched it when it started to move. Unable to pull off the heroic Bachar-ian ‘push it back into place’ maneuver, I jumped back to keep it from pinning my legs and feet. I fell backward down the steep gully, sliding headfirst when I realized, to my horror, that the boulder was rolling down after me. It smashed into my legs and I pulled them in, trying to get my feet on it and use my legs to keep it at a distance. It rolled, the world went dark, I prayed that it would keep rolling and not pin me underneath, and then the next thing I knew it was bouncing away and I was shaking and whimpering out in the bright air again.
I could hear my husband, Tom, running down after me, calling my name, but it wasn’t until he reached my side that I managed to pull myself together enough to reassure him. “I’m OK. I’m OK.” I now realize that although useful, this is a relative sort of phrase.
In fact, I momentarily thought I would be able to walk out and then reality set in. In fact, my legs were so injured that I couldn’t even hold myself in place and continued to bump and slide down the wet gully. My back ached from being folded in half as the boulder went over me and I couldn’t find a way to support my upper body. I couldn’t stay there. I convinced Tom to help me move to a flatter location. I put my arms around his neck and moved my legs around rocks and bushes while he supported all of my weight until we got to a flat spot. Tom gave me his fleece shirt and took off.
How long before I could expect help to arrive? Tom has to run down to the road over steep scree and boulders (10 minutes?), and make the call for help (5-10 more minutes?). Then, all those people, need to stop doing whatever they are doing, gather equipment, get here (20 minutes?), and carry it all up the hill to find me (15 minutes?). I settled down to wait for an hour – I was determined to stay calm until 2:00.
1:12 – I heard sirens in the Valley. They seemed close. Someone knew. It seemed so soon. My chest had started to hurt – a sharp pain. Uh oh. When Tom had run out into the road to stop traffic, the second vehicle in line was NPS and was carrying a radio. He placed the call.
1:25 – I could hear Tom’s voice returning up the gully. I could hear him yelling directions to someone else. Was that kind of response time even possible? Fortunately, the LEO who responded first was at Housekeeping, just up the road from where the gully came out, and was also on YOSAR. He and Tom grabbed equipment out of his car, started running up hill, and were soon joined by several others. The gully filled with yellow shirts. It seemed like no time at all and Tom was with me again. A few words of reassurance and then suddenly it seemed like I was surrounded by rescuers. What time was it? 1:40? Not even? They told me that a few rescuers were at the SAR cache when the call came in – but even so, they must have absolutely flown up the scree slope... big packs and all.
Max stabilized my head, protecting my c-spine. John, a nurse and the Incident commander was on my right and Ernie, a paramedic on my left. Airway, Breathing, Oxygen mask, c-collar, trauma shears, IV, stethoscope, more people behind these three. I hear voices orchestrating a possible carry-out – placing bolts, rope – I hope they pick a nice solid rock. I close my eyes and focus on breathing – my chest really hurts, and Max’s hands provide a temporary splint until they can get a bulky dressing in place. They move me onto the gurma and I hold my breath, expecting a little jostling as they extract me from under a bush, but no – it really is like being levitated. Gurma to stretcher – securing for transport. I’m cold and someone tucks a sleeping bag around me. Cool. Someone hiked a sleeping bag up here for me. Helicopter overhead and I’m rising through the air. They tell me it was 58 minutes between the time when they received the call and I arrived safely in the meadow.
I wouldn’t recommend getting crushed by a boulder, but I’m grateful that when I did I had YOSAR around to come and get me. Unbelievable response time, and truly professional care. Thanks guys!
PS. The final score was multiple lacerations and deep crush wounds on my legs, broken fibula, 3 broken ribs and a collapsed lung (20%), and a spinal injury so severe that the first doc that looked at it swore loudly (according to the nurse) and transferred me up to Stanford where the surgeon admitted to being “baffled” that I wasn’t paralyzed. After a surgery involving two rods, a connector, nine screws and a piece of cadaver bone to make up for crushed bits – I’m up and walking. He fused 5 vertebrae – L2 thru S1 – so I will probably lose substantial flexibility through my spine and the doc (not really knowing anything about climbing) thought it might be painful to arch back to reach holds on overhanging routes but said that I would certainly be welcome to give it a shot. I’m working on hip flexibility.
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Dec 15, 2006 - 04:18pm PT
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Theresa,
It's good to hear you are recovering well from that scary accident. Good also that you didn't get a spinal cord injury (probably thanks to YOSAR and not getting moved excessively). I like that response time!
I have 5 fused vertebrae as well; I think it affects my ability to do high steps and mantles, but no big deal. Just take it easy and work on the walking; climbing later when it feels like fun again!
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elcap-pics
climber
Crestline CA
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Dec 15, 2006 - 04:32pm PT
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Yo .. Theresa... glad to hear that you are doing better now... the week you were hurt was sure a bad one in the Valley... and yes those YOSAR folks are the best there are, anywhere. Continued good luck with your recovery!!!
Tom Evans
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Roger Breedlove
climber
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
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Dec 15, 2006 - 04:49pm PT
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Hey Theresa,
Great post of a harrowing episode. I am glad that you are on the mend. Kudos to YOSAR.
Oh, and I'll take the advice about not dancing with rolling boulders.
Best regards, Roger
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Dec 15, 2006 - 04:50pm PT
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So glad you're Ok. We're fortunate to have such energetic competent folks at Yosar.
I'll resist the Aron Ralston jokes until this thread needs bumping.
I also thought about making a play on "the twelve days of Christmas" with all the hardware they attached to you on the list, but time is short.
Be well and lots of love to you both.
Peace
karl
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JuanDeFuca
Big Wall climber
Stoney Point
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Dec 15, 2006 - 05:06pm PT
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Does YOSAR have people that get a Salary, Health Care, Retirement benifits?
Can we donate money to them?
JDF
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pc
climber
East of Seattle
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Dec 15, 2006 - 05:09pm PT
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Theresa,
Thanks for the great story. Very British in its minimization of the pain and fright you were probably experiencing. I can't even imagine...
Speedy recovery,
Peter
PS Yeah YOSAR!
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MZiebell
Social climber
Prescott, AZ
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Dec 15, 2006 - 05:17pm PT
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"The gully filled with yellow shirts." Never a bad sign!
Good to hear you're recovering.
Nice work YOSAR!
M
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HighDesertDJ
Trad climber
Arid-zona
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Dec 15, 2006 - 08:14pm PT
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What has the Friends of YOSAR ever actually done? I've never heard of a single benefit that they offered.
To answer Juan's other questions, they are all basically "no." Unless you are an actual NPS employee (ranger) you are essentially a legitimized climbing bum. You show up to a few trainings and hopefully get a free lunch out of it (no pay) and are sometimes required to stay near the road or the SAR cache if you are "on call" (still no pay). The benefits are a free place to stay, an "in" with the Rangers and a small discount with YCS.
Personally, I always found that well worth it but I definitely heard plenty of bitching from other people. When you are on a rescue you get $12 to $15 an hour and maybe some food and you are lucky to break even for the summer much less walk away with anything in your pocket. I'd do it again in a second.
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all gung ho
climber
Yosemite, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 15, 2006 - 09:11pm PT
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Karl,
Three broken ribs
Two 'copter flights
and a boulder in a scree field...
JDF - thanks for mentioning that. When I was in the hospital, we were asking friends and family to donate rather than send flowers.
T - I'm trying to think of something in 4s... ;)
[edited to include msg to JDF]
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WBraun
climber
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Dec 15, 2006 - 11:29pm PT
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all gung ho
Holly mackerel you were really messed up. Much more than I thought at the time. You can thank CHP for their hoist. Otherwise it would have been a lot longer for us to get you down to the road through that long talus drainage.
Heal well ..........
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JuanDeFuca
Big Wall climber
Stoney Point
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Dec 15, 2006 - 11:36pm PT
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I think the SAR team should have members that are paid a living wage and have benefits. These people risk their lives just as much as any Fireman. I upsets me that the government does not take care of these people. I heard it was $15 dollars an hour 10 years ago.
JDF
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WBraun
climber
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Dec 15, 2006 - 11:39pm PT
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Take it easy Juan, we are doing fine. It's not how you think.
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PRAYER FLAGS
Social climber
Yuma,, AZ
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Dec 16, 2006 - 12:05am PT
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Instead of talking about SAR and stuff, you should join. Talking about it doesn't help. you should try and help. Peace.
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Blowboarder
Boulder climber
Back in the mix
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Dec 16, 2006 - 02:12am PT
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Watch that Jon character, sketchy at best!
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flamer
Trad climber
denver
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Dec 16, 2006 - 03:10am PT
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That jon character....fully sketch....hell you gotta watch out for that whole family!!
Good stuff guys....
josh
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tico
climber
SL, UT
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Dec 16, 2006 - 07:43am PT
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Hi Theresa! Jess and I are so glad you're recovering, hope to see you soon.
-Tico
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Crimpergirl
Social climber
St. Louis
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Dec 16, 2006 - 08:14am PT
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Thanks for posting the encounter. So happy you are doing well. And so happy that Yosar is there for folks who need 'em.
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wildography
Sport climber
YOSEMITE Valley
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Dec 18, 2006 - 12:20pm PT
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Theresa, I am soooo glad that you are doing better! I've been up that same gully a couple of times - yikes! Scary incident.
Great post telling us all about the accident and what happened.
I'm back at Badger Pass Nordic and hoping to see you seen.
Take care and have a wonderful holiday season!
David
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