cupton



climber Topic Author's Original Post - Oct 20, 2008 - 02:38pm PT Yesterday, 10/19/08, two climbers were hurt on Tahquitz. Shaun was up about ten feet leading the first pitch of Angels Fright when he fell, pulled the one nut he had placed as pro, and pulled his unanchored belayer, Rick off the ledge. They both tumbled about 30ft down the fourth class ledges before stopping.



I was going up to solo The Trough and randomly happened upon them about 30 minutes after the accident. There was an EMT from Santa Barbara SAR on-scene and between the two of us we packaged up the belayer using the pre-placed litter and convinced Shaun to sit and not try to walk out on his own. Rick, the belayer had serious head trauma with a 3-4 inch laceration above his right eye and uneven grip in his hands. Shaun was complaining of difficulty breathing and had what the medic described as "rice crispies" on his back but was ambulatory. We rigged a lowering system and got a group of climbers together to act as a carryout team for Rick when fire arrived and immediately made the call to fly both patients. Riverside SO dropped a medic and we sent Rick in the litter first then a second helicopter came for Shaun. From the time of the accident they were in the air in about 2.5 hours.



Thanks to all the climbers who helped out. I wish a speedy recovery for both Rick and Shaun.