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Were you in Green Adjective gulley, Little Cottonwood, Sunday afternoon 3/29?

Original Post
Emir · · Cottonwood Heights, UT · Joined May 2014 · Points: 15

I'm the climber involved in the accident. Looking for Gabriel and Chet (or Shad) who walked with me down to the parking lot. Female climber/EMT who gave me the first check up. I believe also Andrew, who took up the extra rope to my partner Thomas so he could get down. Anyone else who was around. I'd love to buy you all a few beers.

luke smith · · Salt Lake City, Utah · Joined Feb 2012 · Points: 121

I was in Green A gully on the 29th, although definitely not involved in any rescues. I just want to thank you for appreciating the efforts of those involved in whatever happened. I hope they get some beers.

LButters Butterfield · · Park City, UT · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 0

There with my nephew Jester, glad he didn't see his first climbing casualty! You are definitely one lucky SOB.

Kyle Goupil · · Salt Lake City · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 905

I was driving up to Lisa Falls and saw 3 ambulances, a first truck, and a police officer. Figured something bad had happened. If you dont mind me asking, what happened?

Emir · · Cottonwood Heights, UT · Joined May 2014 · Points: 15

As LButters mentioned, I was one lucky SOB.

We just finished Tingey's and traversed over to the gulley to find rap chains. We found them and it involved a short, straightforward downclimb to a ledge. Well, just as I was about to step onto the ledge, I pulled a rotten flake and went flying backwards. Tumbled for approx 50' when the rope I was carrying in a mountaineer coil on my back snagged on a random chickenhead and arrested my fall just as I was about to go over the edge and into the gulley. It just happened to be right at the anchors of Mother of Pearl that a party finished climbing moments earlier and had a rope in, so I was able to rap down right away.

What by all rights should've been a fatality resulted in mere minor injuries. I lost a bunch of skin, broke fingernails (desperately trying to arrest the fall/tumble), got a gash in the back of my head, and sprained my right ankle during landing. Neither I nor the medics thought it warranted a ride down to the ER.

Tyler Phillips · · Cottonwood Heights, UT · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 3,195

Dear Lord. What was the level of exposure while you were hanging there? Ledge immediately under you? Self rescue? What a story!

M Mobley · · Bar Harbor, ME · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 911

holy shit I know the exact spot

Emir · · Cottonwood Heights, UT · Joined May 2014 · Points: 15

It was a single rap from MoP chains but the gulley slopes down so it could be longer. Unlikely to survive a fall onto granite boulders from that height.

zoso · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2007 · Points: 790

Holy hell glad you're still with us.

cdec · · SLC, UT · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 654

Emir,
I thought I was lucky after The Thumb let a block go in February that could have killed me. I escaped with a broken foot/leg. Your story trumps mine. Glad your still with us. Heal up, be safe.
Carl

thehackattacks · · Park City, UT · Joined Jul 2013 · Points: 5,626

Glad you didn't take the big one brother-- we're all one big climbing family.

ddriver · · SLC · Joined Jul 2007 · Points: 2,084

Quite the story. You should write it up for the AAC's Accidents Journal.

Emir · · Cottonwood Heights, UT · Joined May 2014 · Points: 15

Thanks everyone for your kind well wishes. My sprained ankle (the only "real" injury) has been healing well and I hope to be able to shove it into a ski boot this weekend for some corn harvest.

ddriver: that's a great idea, I'll be getting in touch with AAC.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northern Utah & Idaho
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