Fallen Ice Climber in LCC

Story here.

Slightly conflicting details here.

Also here.

I went up there to climb just after he was plucked off by the chopper. Doug Heinrich was up there to help. Sounds like he fell from the last pitch to the base of the bulge. I noticed some blood there. He was lucky he didn't fall farther, think he was from Montana. Hope he recovers well.

"where crews moved him to a stretcher as he yelled in pain and flew him to Intermountain Medical Center in serious condition."

Does not sound fun. at all.

A friend of mine was there. Here's his blog about the whole thing.

alisaandcasey.blogspot.com/…

According to the Salt Lake Tribune, the climber (Gean Rawson) is in satisfactory condition.

First off it is unfortunate about this accident and I hope the injured climber will make a complete recovery.

It's interesting reading the comments in the SLC Tribune article. The consensus of these people is that climbing is "too dangerous" and that we would be better off playing with guns. People suggest "cementing" the falls" because surely this is the only climb in LCC and with it closed ice climbing will stop the world will be a better place (at least a world free of risk takers). Its pretty comedic looking through the viewpoints of non climbers in regards to this incident.

I am glad that he is going to be okay. There are many factors here that contributed to this situation turning out as well as it did (including a fair amount of good luck). One factor that I think was overlooked by the media sources I read is the contribution made by the other nearby climbers. From all accounts, LifeFlight and Alta Fire were awesome, but their jobs were made much much easier by the other climbers on the scene. Good job to everyone involved!

Scott Krankkala wrote: Its pretty comedic looking through the viewpoints of non climbers in regards to this incident.

Yeah, one of the comments on the KSL site's story said "I think he fell because the rocks he was climbing were covered with snow and ice."

facepalm.

camhead wrote:Yeah, one of the comments on the KSL site's story said "I think he fell because the rocks he was climbing were covered with snow and ice." facepalm.

Thanks for posting Perin. It is good to hear the climber is doing well and to know what happened first hand.

I was wondering what the fire trucks were out and about for that day.
An amazing story, rescue, and survival!