Another helicopter rescue at Tahquitz

Ero Sennin wrote: Will do Senor. Glad there are good people like you around on Tahquitz.

He was definitely making light of the situation when he called me yesterday and in good spirits. Said he wished he could have enjoyed the flight more while getting hoisted but he was in excruciating pain because his hip was getting compressed on the haul up. 
I was a little shocked to get the call and find out it was him, but he’s already planning a comeback. 

Tell your friend to PM me here if he wants full video of the paramedic lowering in to get him and the lift out. It's pretty cool but I would also understand if he just wants to forget about the experience. 

Tradiban wrote:

Climbers don't get billed for the heli ride but they have billed people that were just reckless and caused massive search and rescues.

More than most rescues are for hikers and tourists, not climbers.

generally no bill if they pick you off and drop you off at TH. Then your climbing partner or ambulance can take you to hospital. If you get flown from rock to hospital, then bills will await. Speedy recovery to fallen climber. 

apogee wrote: CalFire needs to justify their existence somehow....

Because California never has wildland fires.....

SMH.

Marc801 C wrote:

Because California never has wildland fires.....

SMH.

that'd be the hot shots, USFS

best wishes for a speedy recovery to the climber!!

Re-billing - From what I have been told, during normal operating months (ie spring, summer, and fall) SAR is covered as part of the NFS/NPS budget.  During off season (usually Winter season -  October 1 to April 30) SAR is normally borne by the person being rescued.  This is at least the case for most winter/off season rescues where people are backcountry skiing. I have heard you aren't always charged but they can bill you.  I don't have any solid info on that for this area though.

Julie J. wrote:

that'd be the hot shots, USFS

Not really.
https://www.fire.ca.gov/about-us/

Marc801 C wrote: Not really.
https://www.fire.ca.gov/about-us/

Sorry, I thought you were talking about wild fires like the ones that have burned this mountain in 2013 and 2018. The Forest Service handled those. CalFire got paid big bucks to show up and look good though. 

Neither here nor there for this thread. Sorry to derail!

Erik Kramer-Webb wrote: That section is a no-falls situation for the leader on slippery 5.8 slab moves above your pro.  I've gone right to avoid it before, and found an enjoyable zigzag undercling variation (5.7?) with a little trickiness to protect the second from a pendulum but still reasonable.  

Every time I do the crux on the 5th pitch of the Long Climb I sweat and think about what would happen if I whipped.  Now I know.  So sorry he had to find out the hard way.  Wishing a speedy recovery for him.

My partner and I were on this our first time last week and went right at the crux (immediately after the fixed nuts). Found the arching corner/undercling super enjoyable and went directly over a small roof to join up where I think the route normally goes. Really cool moves and a reach-of-faith pull over the roof (maybe harder than 5.8? But not by much).  Well protected with small cams. Surprised I didn’t see mention of this variation anywhere else on MP. 

I've seen that variation done before. I should try it out, looks cool. 

GDavis Davis wrote: I've seen that variation done before. I should try it out, looks cool. 

You do that variation and Tony Gyro will be rolling in his grave RIP in peace

I seem to remember an offset blue/yellow master fitting perfectly right at the crux. Also if you dont do the the crux did you really do the long climb?

Hand.jammin wrote: I seem to remember an offset blue/yellow master fitting perfectly right at the crux. Also if you dont do the the crux did you really do the long climb?

You bring offset cams to tahquitz? 

master gumby wrote:

You bring offset cams to tahquitz? 

I keep my blue/yellow offset on my rack at all times its one of my favorite pices, does that bother you master gum on my shoe? This was also back in 2015 but I recall that being what I placed. 

Hand.jammin wrote:

I keep my blue/yellow offset on my rack at all times its one of my favorite pices, does that bother you master gum on my shoe? This was also back in 2013 but I recall that being what I placed. 

That's a great piece, but I think you're referring to the pod before you head left and up.  To me, the crux is after - the last little bit before you grab the top of that small slabby area there, thin crack on the right hand side to put micro gear.  It's been a while though, memory could be funky.

Hand.jammin wrote:

I keep my blue/yellow offset on my rack at all times its one of my favorite pices, does that bother you master gum on my shoe? This was also back in 2013 but I recall that being what I placed. 

It was a simple question and we resort to name calling, sheesh. 

When I lead it two days ago I clipped the fixed nut at the bottom of the wedge, then i put a #2 dmm nut in the dihedral crux section like 6 feet above the fixed nut.  Both pieces were very good.

J P wrote: When I lead it two days ago I clipped the fixed nut at the bottom of the wedge, then i put a #2 dmm nut in the dihedral crux section like 6 feet above the fixed nut.  Both pieces were very good.

That sounds about right, nawmean?!

Julie J. wrote: 

Sorry, I thought you were talking about wild fires like the ones that have burned this mountain in 2013 and 2018. The Forest Service handled those. CalFire got paid big bucks to show up and look good though. 

Neither here nor there for this thread. Sorry to derail!

Regardless, i actually agree with you Julie J...

Hope this isn't tagged as inappropriate, but glad the climber is recovering!

Oh, man. He certainly didn't ruin our day. I felt really bad for him and didn't mind waiting around a bit while it all got taken care of. I had no idea he was close to going into shock but I also couldn't actually SEE him directly. We were talking around a couple trees and a rock. He sounded very clear and in control. If I'd known that I would have climbed over to where he was just to give him some reassurance and direct company.