An old but bizarre accident

[polar]

I’m browsing the ANAM web site while eating lunch (weirdo!), and came across this rare and bizarre accident. Thought I’d share!

Summary: a hiker retreating from the Keyhole route on Longs Peak was lifted off the ground (literately) by strong wind and slammed into a pile of rocks, resulting in injury. The hiker weighed 170 lbs and was carrying a 70 lbs pack (a combined weight of 240 lbs!).

http://publications.americanalpineclub. ... Longs-Peak" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bergsteigen]

That is a real worry I've had periodically over the years, since I have been lifted off the ground before by wind. It scared the crap out of me at the time, as I was on my college campus walking between classes at the time. I almost called my first ascent of Maroon Peak due to intense wind. Thankfully it was only localized wind on a saddle that scared me.

[mtgirl]

I can relate. I was lifted off my feet by a gust of wind on West Spanish Peak while solo hiking. NOT fun.....

[Mark A Steiner]

Wind is no small issue - with more exposure the worse it is. These guys walked (sort of) away thankful to be alive. Don't take chances in wind like that.

[kaiman]

I’m browsing the ANAM web site while eating lunch (weirdo!), and came across this rare and bizarre accident. Thought I’d share!

Summary: a hiker retreating from the Keyhole route on Longs Peak was lifted off the ground (literately) by strong wind and slammed into a pile of rocks, resulting in injury. The hiker weighed 170 lbs and was carrying a 70 lbs pack (a combined weight of 240 lbs!).

http://publications.americanalpineclub. ... Longs-Peak" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Not surprising. Winds in excess of 75-100 MPH have been known to blow climbers off of mountains quite frequently, not to mention what they do to tents (or in some cases tents with people in them)! I remember reading about Julie Tullis' ascent of K2 a few years ago where she got caught in 100+ MPH winds on the descent and was blown 8000 feet off the mountain to the glacier. I've been knocked over a few times during climbs when gusts of 40-60 MPH blew over ridges. Winds in the 10 Mile/Mosquito Range and West Elks were often the culprit. Man the wind can really blow there!

[Upwardlybound]

I believe it. My daughter and I hiked up to Chasm Lake on Longs a few years ago in late December (temp well below zero). The wind was forecast to blow in excess of 70 mph, and having endured a few hurricanes, I believe every mph of it. Some of the hike was more like one step forward and two steps blown backward. It was fun, though, and made for good memories.

[AlexeyD]

Apologies in advance if this is uncalled for, but - first thought that came to mind reading the summary is, what on earth was he doing with a 70-lb pack on the Keyhole??

[mtgirl]

Apologies in advance if this is uncalled for, but - first thought that came to mind reading the summary is, what on earth was he doing with a 70-lb pack on the Keyhole??

Carrying a kettlebell, of course, and starting the Crossfit rage.

[Chicago Transplant]

Keep in mind that 74 MPH is a Category 1 hurricane. Certainly something to think about when looking at wind forecasts!

This article states these guys experienced winds that were estimated at 150. That would be a Category 4 hurricane, so I guess it really should not be surprising when winds like this are picking people up when they are equivalent to winds that literally tear roofs off homes and rip trees out of the ground.

[Steve Climber]

I remember reading about Julie Tullis' ascent of K2 a few years ago where she got caught in 100+ MPH winds on the descent and was blown 8000 feet off the mountain to the glacier.

I thought she died of HACE/HAPE on the descent. I've read that she fell, and was caught by belay, but sustained injury that likely contributed to death while they were pinned down in a storm.

[KentonB]

Apologies in advance if this is uncalled for, but - first thought that came to mind reading the summary is, what on earth was he doing with a 70-lb pack on the Keyhole??

Ha! We all thought the same thing. The article clarifies that they were exiting the Boulder field when the accident happened. Probably camped there planning to summit and decided to leave when the winds picked up.

[AlexeyD]

Apologies in advance if this is uncalled for, but - first thought that came to mind reading the summary is, what on earth was he doing with a 70-lb pack on the Keyhole??

Ha! We all thought the same thing. The article clarifies that they were exiting the Boulder field when the accident happened. Probably camped there planning to summit and decided to leave when the winds picked up.

Ah, I see - that's what I get for not actually reading the article Still...a 70-pound pack for an overnight trip takes some doing!