Joshua Tree groundfall 2/9/20

I had a ground fall trad climbing accident 2/9/20 at Joshua Tree at Hidden Tower on Split, a route left of Sail Away. It is going to published in the next issue of Accidents of North America Climbing. First to assist me and my wife, who was belaying, was the party of 4 climbing Sail Away at the time. I was airlifted to a local hospital and am now fully recovered. I never got any accurate contact information for that very helpful party of 4. If you know them or are one of them and have information to allow me to contact any of them, please message me. Thank you.

Neal Lischnerwrote:

I had a ground fall trad climbing accident 2/9/20 at Joshua Tree at Hidden Tower on Split, a route left of Sail Away. It is going to published in the next issue of Accidents of North America Climbing. First to assist me and my wife, who was belaying, was the party of 4 climbing Sail Away at the time. I was airlifted to a local hospital and am now fully recovered. I never got any accurate contact information for that very helpful party of 4. If you know them or are one of them and have information to allow me to contact any of them, please message me. Thank you.

I was one of the four who helped you. I'll get in contact with the other people and let them know . Glad your alright! You had a pretty nasty fall. 

2 of 4 here.  Glad you’re all good man! Thanks for getting my jacket back to me, you took a digger 

Hi Neal! That day is futzed in my mind. Ellis, Kyle and Tom took skilled action, while I ran for help. 

So Happy to know that you are fully recovered. It was undoubtedly traumatic for both you and your partner.

Wishing you both the very Best!

Full recovery!! Great to hear, that does not happen often after a fall like that.

Thank you all so very much. I know you all were very instrumental in helping me and my wife. Which one of you is the EMT (at least as my wife recalls)? I don’t remember anything between starting up the route, placing some gear, feeling fine, and then being on the ground surrounded by people and in some pain. So, of course, I have spent some time wondering what happened and what I may have done wrong. Did anyone look at the route to see if there were scars from the cams that pulled or any new rockfall that might have been holds I pulled off? My cams were undamaged. My wife sort of remembers something beside me falling around her feet but could not really recall clearly whether it was rocks or the cams. I am really glad I get to personally thank you all, it was help very much appreciated.

Neal Lischnerwrote:

Thank you all so very much. I know you all were very instrumental in helping me and my wife. Which one of you is the EMT (at least as my wife recalls)? I don’t remember anything between starting up the route, placing some gear, feeling fine, and then being on the ground surrounded by people and in some pain. So, of course, I have spent some time wondering what happened and what I may have done wrong. Did anyone look at the route to see if there were scars from the cams that pulled or any new rockfall that might have been holds I pulled off? My cams were undamaged. My wife sort of remembers something beside me falling around her feet but could not really recall clearly whether it was rocks or the cams. I am really glad I get to personally thank you all, it was help very much appreciated.

Your gear placements we're very poor. You pulled two cams out when you fell. When we got to you. You were upsidedown head first between two rock. You were stuck and we couldn't get you upright. So i rebuilt your anchor for a 3 to 1 and kyle and I we able to get you unstuck and upright. Tom is the EMT, Kyle is a Firefighter, Tonya is a Runner and I am a Rigger. Your were barely breathing when we got to you. Landing head first between two rocks sounds scary but it probably saved your life and kept you from crushing your skull or breaking your neck. Your shoulders broke your fall and thank God you wearing a helmet.

This is a general statement.  Not to be taken for any specific incident.  Camming devices are not fool proof.  I have seen people pass up a great horn that could be slung for a blind cam placement.  Having two pieces pull is more likely by not using a sling to keep the bottom one from walking or being pull when the top takes tension.  Better to fall a little longer than have the piece pivot out.

Dude. I am so glad you made a full recovery, hearing that made my day. I was the annoying guy that made you keep talking till SAR showed up. Crazy scene with you upside down and all when we found you. Your helmet absolutely saved your life, your landing was almost perfect, considering. A few inches either way would've been way different. James assessment is right on, not having a piece protecting the upward force from a fall likely took out those cams, considering the flaring crack your cams were in. Anyhow, we were all happy to help and super stoked you're doing well

Wow I didn’t know the details about my position at the end of the fall. I’m so glad all you skilled rescuers were there. Turns out I did break a bone in my neck but it healed and the only signs of any head injury was my complete amnesia of the time between climbing and being rescued. I see the two points made that I could have extended the first cam which would have maybe helped it stay in place due to the acute angle between the low angle start of the climb and the crack and then placing a piece in my belayer’s anchor for the upward force my fall created might have kept the gear in place. Thank you all again for the rescue and for the feedback.

lsdclimber Elliswrote:

Tom is the EMT, Kyle is a Firefighter, Tonya is a Runner and I am a Rigger. 

Wow, this is a dream team of people to have come to the rescue. What good fortune. 

It really was. Having that particular crew there that day made that rescue smooth as could be. With Tonya booking it to the phone at HVC and contacting SAR in minutes, and Ellis and Kyle rigging the pulley system to get you upright while I eased your head out of the crevice to get you breathing and trying to keep your spine straight, the handoff to SAR was quick and easy. Everyone immediately knew what they could do and acted without hesitation. Could not have asked for a better rescue crew to work with, you guys are awesome, you know. Again, stoked you recovered Neal, stay safe out there!

You people did amazing!

Wow that is quite the accident. Glad you are ok and kudos to the dream team that helped you out!

Tom Vokeswrote:

It really was. Having that particular crew there that day made that rescue smooth as could be. With Tonya booking it to the phone at HVC and contacting SAR in minutes, and Ellis and Kyle rigging the pulley system to get you upright while I eased your head out of the crevice to get you breathing and trying to keep your spine straight, the handoff to SAR was quick and easy. Everyone immediately knew what they could do and acted without hesitation. Could not have asked for a better rescue crew to work with, you guys are awesome, you know. Again, stoked you recovered Neal, stay safe out there!

And the Phone Worked!?  Amazing!

Gumby Kingwrote:

And the Phone Worked!?  Amazing!

Actually, no it did not now that you  mentioned it. 911 had to be called for the top of the Blob or chimney rock. 

Are Ellis, Tom, Kyle and Tonya available to climb on neighboring routes for the rest of my life, just in case? Seriously, it must be incredibly satisfying to have such a tangible impact on someone’s well-being through your skills and preparation. Bravo.

lsdclimber Elliswrote:

Actually, no it did not now that you  mentioned it. 911 had to be called for the top of the Blob or chimney rock. 

Are you guys referring to the emergency phone at the intersection rock parking lot? It doesn't work?

David Burridgewrote:

Are you guys referring to the emergencyy phone at the intersection rock parking lot? It doesn't work?

Yes the emergency phone was out of commission for awhile. I think it's working now.

Hey Neal just wanted to let you know I received your letter and wanted to thank you. Wasn't necessary but thank you none the less. Stay safe and again I'm glad everything worked out for you. You're a very lucky man!