Half Dome Accident

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Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Nov 14, 2006 - 07:43pm PT
I think deleting posts is usually bogus.

I said it. I regret it . Get over it.
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
one pass away from the big ditch
Nov 14, 2006 - 07:48pm PT
I get skeered coming down those cables when the stancions are up.

RIP
Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Nov 14, 2006 - 08:18pm PT
Our local version is Angel's Landing.

There are signs posted, but wintery conditions can render it a very serious proposition.
Still, the last three fatalities I heard of were in fair, warm weather.

Another element I haven't heard discussed is approach committment that can obviate the minor perception of risk.
Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Nov 14, 2006 - 09:31pm PT
Sounds like the somebody of the sort the world could use more of.
I hate to hear of this.
JuanDeFuca

Big Wall climber
Stoney Point
Nov 14, 2006 - 09:45pm PT
Angels Landing and Half Dome get my vote for top two hikes in North America.

I watched my friend die of cancer last week.



JDF
Indianclimber

climber
Las Vegas
Nov 14, 2006 - 11:31pm PT
Angels is better to do with no chains they throw of your balance.
Most of the tourists dont have the brains to pick a spot to pass
and are pushing past eachother Scary..
Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Nov 14, 2006 - 11:42pm PT
True.

I did it recently and people stopped, expecting to be passed at the WORST possible spots instead of using half a brain.
Karl Baba

Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
Nov 14, 2006 - 11:47pm PT
Sorry to hear about Emily. Even though she wasn't on a technical climbing route, I'm sure she had to summon the courage and fitness to get up Half Dome.

In fact, I bet there is a lot more courage that has to be summoned a the base ofhte cables than at the base of the NW Face.

I grateful that we still have the opportunity to go on trails where a mistake can obviously cost us our lives I do it. Emily did it. It makes our lives richer and brighter. It's sad that some of us lose the bet now and then, but that's the price we pay. Let's keep paying it.

Love and Respect to those who will miss Emily as she goes on the next great adventure.

Karl
graniteclimber

Trad climber
Nowhere
Nov 15, 2006 - 01:46pm PT

http://www.couchsurfing.com/profile.html?id=98CXD5

Current Mission: "To have intention behind what I do."

Personal Description

I am an adventurer. I try to live simply and consiously, and enjoy the company of those I am around. I am playful, messy, love creative expression and exploring.

Interests

Backpacking, hiking, sustainable living, dancing, human rights issues, farming, playing guitar, singing, writing

Music, Movies, Books

Music, anything with a lively tune for stomping around. Movies, my favorite is Amelie and the Newsies. Books....it's been awhile..but really like Frank McCourt's books.

Types of People I Enjoy

Down to earth, genuine people. Also, enjoy folks with quirks and a sense of wonder.
Personal Philosophy

I hope to live my life in a way that allows others, the land, the natural world to breathe a little easier.

One Amazing Thing I've Seen or Done

I've seen the Bitterroot Wilderness on fire, as I wandered through it for 24 days.


References

Fun
From MIGHTY_ME_MOUSE Jul 19, 2006

Emily Sandall is a very fun, vibrant and easy going person. She tells great stories and lives life in a full and good way. I always enjoy myself when she is around and know that she gets along with almost all people.

Mountain Dog
From LUKEVANHELDEN Jul 19, 2006

Yes, Emily can be seen atop many a mountain. She lives there mostly. For a special treat, Emily made her famous coffee cake. Also a fan of tricks, we set up a scavenger hunt for a few friends. It ended up with Bridget chasing us in her car as we escaped after leaving a note by her door. Emily will be a great guest.

Bailando Salsa and Batucada
From PUNCHTEXANO Jul 19, 2006

during the carnival it was great to see how much energy she has while she was dancing salsa and batucada!!! she is very nice, and she likes to eat huge empanadas!!! cheers Emily!!

Fun, funny, friendly
From MYALINO Jul 19, 2006

Emily is an amazingly interesting, compassionate, funny, and sincere person. She has lots of great adventure stories to tell. If you come her way she will also sing you beautiful songs and lullabys. I couchsurf with Emily everynight I get a chance.
gazela

Boulder climber
Albuquerque, NM
Nov 16, 2006 - 12:33am PT
Emily was a close friend of my friend Rod's daughter Jenny, and she had just sung and played guitar at Jenny's wedding reception at my in-laws' house in Albuquerque about a week before the accident. Needless to say, Rod's entire family was distraught at the news of Emily's death.

I don't know if I'll ever go to Yosemite, but if I do, I think I'll steer clear of Half Dome. I hiked to the top of Angel's Landing in Zion a few years back, and my acrophobia/vertigo had me clutching the chains all the way up and back.
ricardo

Gym climber
San Francisco, CA
Nov 16, 2006 - 01:30pm PT
wow! .. sad story ..

.. the cables also spook me ... last time i descended them (in rock shoes and good weather) -- i clipped a runner to the steel cable .. dont feel so bad about doing that now ..
Rock!...oopsie.

Trad climber
pitch above you
Nov 16, 2006 - 01:44pm PT
ricardo-
better than nothing, but unless you are not moving very fast by the time the biner and runner hit a stanchion you are gonna be in for a nasty stop at best (think internal organ damage) or a busted biner and a continuation of the ride at worst.
menoge

climber
Nov 22, 2006 - 09:06pm PT
Others have said it, but asking about the cost of this rescue was incredibly inappropriate and, due to the subject of this particular forum, disrespectful. To open a discussion about the high costs of rescues somewhere else on this website is legitimate, but to pose the question "Werner, ball park, what were the costs of this recovery?" to be publicly displayed under a news story called "Fatal Fall from Half Dome" was tasteless.

Also, since Emily Sandall was my friend, I feel compelled to set the record straight. This was not a case of "enthusiastic people becoming overextended with tragic results;" she has been leading trips for years as an Outward Bound instructor and for a wilderness tripping camp for teenagers (where I worked with her). She hiked for a living and taught countless people how to be safe in the backcountry. She was a professional with proven judgment and skills but that's just the point: when it comes down to it, sometimes none of that matters - it could happen to anyone. Anyone can slip.

Don't assume that people are dumb tourists who don't know what they're doing, or that a "mandatory orientation for backcountry permits" or even people "behaving conservatively" could have prevented this accident - sometimes there aren't any answers. Maybe there were contributing factors in this case, or maybe there weren't and it was just a nonsensical act of nature - either way, it was an accident and a tragedy where questions of money and experience are both irrelevant.
Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Nov 22, 2006 - 09:48pm PT
I have gotten a raft of sh#t for my first post, not only on this thread but in emails from graniteclimber as well.

Let me clarify that my first post was not intended to suggest that cost considerations should supercede consideration of the tragic nature of this incident.
Rather I was suggesting that we ALL might act more carefully if we look in depth at the potential comsequences of our actions.



For graniteclimber to write me (and I quote):

"As for the chopper crew, no one is holding a gun to their heads. If they don't want to take the risk, they should work in another profession. Besides longlining out a body is not urgent and should not involve particularly risky flying."


I think that strikes me as an attitude both cavalier and callous.

As if to underscore this yesterday here in Utah a SAR chopper searching for a missing woman crashed in the Green River with two on board. Both were critically injured. The pilot, Brian Grayson, from Reno has died.


edit; apparently I was misinformed. It was the passenger by the name of Orr who is deceased.
graniteclimber

Trad climber
Nowhere
Nov 22, 2006 - 11:06pm PT
EDIT: My response to Ron Piton has been moved to the "congrats" thread: http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.html?topic_id=284684&f=0&b=0

It has been pointed out, correctly, that by responding to Piton Ron here I was only taking this thread further down a path that I don't think is appropriate.

Again, the family and friends have my condolences. I'm ashamed and embarrassed that they have to see this and the rest of the thread.
Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Nov 22, 2006 - 11:35pm PT
Thank you so much for clearing that up.
Happy Thanksgiving.
marky

climber
Nov 23, 2006 - 02:51am PT
that one guy's "nonconfrontational" email to piton ron was lame; lamer still was posting the back-and-forth here.

But I was entertatined, so thanks for posting. And happy thanksgiving
dirtineye

Trad climber
the south
Nov 23, 2006 - 11:06am PT
I agree with Ronbo. Deleting is lame.

Leaving it and making amends is much better, and I think any frineds or relatives would appreciate the apology more than a deletion.

Anyone can screw up. That poor girl did. Ronbo did. Quite a few Ronbo castigators did. It's all sad.

At the very least Ronbo came right out with a flat, unqualified apology, and said he was wrong. I'll put more stock in Ronbo than in his attackers.

I still love ya Ronbo, although, I must admit, I'm having baked lizard for Thanksgiving!
Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Nov 23, 2006 - 11:54am PT
That's not what I heard Dirt. Rumor is that everything you produce is half baked!

Actually, when Junior gets feisty I show him my lizardskin wallet and belt and that usually straightens him out.
Truth is, the local indians used to consider chuckawalla a delicasy, but they are largely herbivorous while Junior is a hardcore carnivore likely making him tough and bad tasting.



Dontcha like the way GC wants me to delete then posts the whole mess. I don't think that it shows his comments in fairer light but I understand. He is angry with the tragic news and feels that I was criticizing his friend.

My condolences to the deceased's family. Hopefully some good can come of this if others benefit from knowlege of the hazards.



This has been a rough season. Already I've lost three friends. We should focus more on making what time we have left more worthwhile.
David Nelson

climber
San Francisco
Nov 23, 2006 - 12:03pm PT
I agree with Ricardo, and used a runner when I went down the cables after the Regular Route. I had a pack on, lots of gear, a bit tired and rushed due to lightning strikes in the distance. A bit of safety on the downclimb seemed like a good idea at the time, still does. You must might give it a thought if you are descending, as a single slip (rare as it might be)can be the end.

Truely sorry about Emily.
Messages 21 - 40 of total 68 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
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