[pct-l] Close call

[Bob Bankhead]

That's proof that the Gods keep watch over fools and small children.

His guardian angel needs to put in for overtime pay!

At least he was wise enough to have had a leash on his ice axe. I rarely see
them on hikers' axes, but mountaineers know better. That tiny bit of extra
weight can make all the difference between life and death if you and your
axe become separated during a fall. It's a lot easier to do than you might
think.







-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of ron guay
Sent: Friday, July 08, 2011 9:26 PM
To: jomike at cot.net
Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Close call

I would just like to add a couple of more close calls from this season:

Both of these stories are from the same young Guy.  However, this young Guy
is 6'5" and well over 200lbs so if you see him don't tell him I told
you....hahaha

After climbing MT Whitney....he attempts to glissade down a snow pack off
the ridge...ie...very very steep.  While glissading he loses his ice-ax and
slides 100yds before regaining control of it.  (in this case it was a good
thing it was strapped to his wrist).  It then takes him another 100 yds to
stop.     In all, he comes within 20yds of hitting the rocks below.  After
hiking Whitney ourselves and resting at Upper Crabtree we see him walk by
our camp with bloody, very sore looking knees.  He is obviously shaken a
bit.

Same Guy approaches Evolution Creek.  He sees the sign that says to cross at
Meadow if it is a high water year.  He misreads it and thinks he needs to
cross at the path!  He strips down and begins crossing.  When the water
reaches his neck (he's 6'5" remember) he loses control begins 'swimming'
across...poles in hand...pack on.

He laughs about it now, but he is very lucky!