Mt Lindsey - Rescue after ridge fall - 6/5

[Briere]

Well this is a very strange feeling but here is my rescue.

I began the day at 4:30am and was on the northwest ridge by 8am and fell around 8:30am. There was snow and ice on the crux with winds going around 25mph. I was taking the class 3 option on the ridge when I went roughly 5ft too far left and grabbed onto a boulder (a microwave size) that gave way.

I am so incredibly grateful for everyone that was involved in my rescuse!!!! I truely can't express how amazing everyone was!
Alamosa County Sheriff's Office
Costilla County Sheriff's Office
Huerfano County Sheriff's Office
Colorado State Patrol
REACH Air Medical Services
Eagle Air Med
Alamosa County Ambulance District

For those curious: I had an ice axe, crampons, mountaineering boots, and a helmet. I don't think I could ever be more glad to have been wearing a helmet. I also had an emergency blanket that kept me warm and was a great signal for the helicopter to identify my position. I had also signed the liability waiver and have a valid CORSAR card! Buy one to support these amazing teams!!

I will likely make a trip report of my whole experience but just wanted to share this out there since scrambling season is in full swing and I want others to know a serious injury can still happen on a Class 3 route. 3 points of contact and a helmet is so important!!

Finally, I am happy to share I am recovering well and was able to ditch the crutches last week and am slowly walking around again. Thank you again to everyone who helped me that day!!

blanket.png

[daway8]

Glad that things didn't end up worse than they did and that you're mending well.

Thanks for having the courage to share about a day that didn't go as planned - it's a great reminder to us all to always stay vigilant!

[Phill the Thrill]

Thanks for the report, Briere. Happy to hear you're recovering well. It sounds like you were well-prepared and did everything you could. You had a climbing ACCIDENT. FWIW, I had a handhold break loose in the same area that you did. Wishing you a full recovery and hope you'll soon be able to pursue your passion for climbing.

[rmcpherson]

Glad to hear you are on the mend and able to walk without crutches already. A broken hold is something that can happen to anybody. It sounds like you had your 10 essentials and were prepared. Did you have to self rescue to get yourself into the position shown in the photo? That must have been brutal with broken bones. Looking forward to the full trip report.

[Briere]

Thanks for having the courage to share about a day that didn't go as planned - it's a great reminder to us all to always stay vigilant!

Thank you. Posting this definitely brought back some emotions from the day which is why I only posted now.

Did you have to self rescue to get yourself into the position shown in the photo? That must have been brutal with broken bones.

The position shown in the photo is the high basin; roughly at 12.2k ft. I fell at 13,630ft and was falling head over feet so I think I stopped by digging my feet into snow (which is also how I guess I sprained my 2 ankles). Directly after the fall and with my 2 sprained ankles, I step kicked with crampons and my ice axe down the gully that was filled in with snow. Over 2-3 hours, I used my hiking poles and limped down to the high basin since I wasn't sure what rescue options there were at the time and I didn't want to be so high up for potential thunder that afternoon. Looking back, that must have been adrenaline since the following 4-5 days I couldn't walk on even my 'good' sprained ankle.

Additionally, I am very thankful I had an iPhone 15 that could send satellite messages, that was extrememly helpful along side Caltopo so I could send my exact coordinates.

[Veory]

That's intense, always glad to see someone post about their own rescue than someone else's recovery. I'm sure all of us with a decent amount of check marks on this site have pulled a block loose before, a good reminder to always be careful and appreciate the rescue teams.

Good luck on your recovery!

[HikesInGeologicTime]

Echoing David's thanks for sharing. So glad that you were a SAR success story and that you're back to walking again, however slowly - that's a great feeling! A full trip report would be a welcome contribution, but don't feel obligated to write one; if you truly want to because you'll find it beneficial to yourself as well as potential readers, though, it will be well-received. Here's hoping for continued progress in your recovery!

[MaryinColorado]

Wow! Bravo to you for posting this, and I'm glad you're doing ok (relative to other outcomes). You're one lucky duck! I think your story also highlights the importance of setting yourself up for rescue success by carrying the right gear. That's an awesome reminder, too!

I was part of a crew on Lindsey this past weekend, and there were several occasions we alerted each other to really loose holds. We're all out there doing the same things, and this is a real risk.

Thank you, again, for sharing. Wishing you everything you need for continued healing - physically and emotionally!

[seano]

Thanks for sharing.

Stuff happens in the mountains even if you take every reasonable precaution. I'm glad to hear you're physically recovering so quickly. Getting your head back may take a bit longer, but it will come.