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one-armed mountaineering

Original Post
willeslinger · · Golden, Colorado · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 25

So I broke my left wrist in two places mixed climbing at exit 38 (Central Cascades, WA) yesterday, I'm going to be in a cast for a month and a half, in the interim, I'm fretting over things to do. This summer, I saw a one-armed amputee climbing the Middle Teton, which got me thinking that some easy mountaineering might be in order. I was wondering if anyone here might be an amputee with some pointers on one-handed ice axe technique, self-belay, self-arrest, glissading, whatever.

FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276

You might end up an amputee if you go out to try "easy" climbing with one arm in a cast! Don't risk it.

willeslinger · · Golden, Colorado · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 25
FrankPS wrote:You might end up an amputee if you go out to try "easy" climbing with one arm in a cast! Don't risk it.
probably right, but I didn't get the nickname "Psyched Will" by being complacent. Damn, these are going to be a long six weeks
FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276
willeslinger wrote: probably right, but I didn't get the nickname "Psyched Will" by being complacent. Damn, these are going to be a long six weeks
You just don't want the nickname of One-Arm, or Lefty!
IamDman · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 15

love the enthusiasm! I wouldn't take on anything too big, but you can still get outta the house and have some fun!

Martin le Roux · · Superior, CO · Joined Jul 2003 · Points: 401
willeslinger wrote:I was wondering if anyone here might be an amputee with some pointers on one-handed ice axe technique, self-belay, self-arrest, glissading, whatever.
Well, there's this guy called Aron Ralston that you might have heard of... but I don't think he worries too much about one-handed technique now that he has a prosthetic ice-axe where his right arm used to be.
cms829 · · NJ · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 90

Im in a cast as well rifght now for 6 weeks. Complete tear of my ulnar collateral ligament in my left thumb. Ive modified a glove to keep my other fingers warm and have put over 50 miles on my sled....and I'll be going skiing and riding this weekend. I know its a huge risk and I can set myself back even further if I fall and mess up the cast...but Im like you....I cant sit idle. Ive even been using my kettle bell with it on, and laying tile. Just be careful with it and dont stress it too much or you aren't going to heal properly, and you'll regret it

milesholland Holland · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 0

I climbed mount dana with nick goeper who was in a cast at the time, he seemed to be doing fine

Devin Fin · · DURANGO · Joined Jan 2010 · Points: 3,725

Peat is a left handed god ... one arm an he "pules" hard in the creek . ice . bolder's . sport ...broken arm whatever climbing with cast. no problem tape yer tool to the cast.. an if you wipe no worry's yer arm's already broke.. it's a win win.

IamDman · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 15
Devin Fin wrote: if you wipe no worry's yer arm's already broke.. it's a win win.
I like this logic
Lee M. · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined Dec 2011 · Points: 5

YER GONNA DIE!

Seriously though: I fractured my wrist a little while back and decided that having it in a brace would be the perfect opportunity for me to practice not relying on my arms so much, so I went and climbed a couple of times right after I fractured it. Seeing how much wider the fissures were during the following visit to the orthopedist cured me of my stubbornness with regard to legitimately laying off the rocks for awhile. Just let it rest...or alternatively, go ahead and amputate it for the real one-armed experience.

IamDman · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 15

one of my buddies is in a sling right now from falling about 10 feet while bouldering and landing on his elbow. Only strained it, but he is in a sling right now. He was kidding around and running, trip and ate it so hard. I felt bad, but it was funny. My point being, if you fall one handed it can suck.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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