Hawksbill (Linville Gorge) accident report and left gear

I was involved in an accident at Middle Hawksbill in Linville Gorge. I had been working Carpe Freeum, whipping all over multiple pieces. When I pulled the rope and went for a subsequent attempt, I clipped into my first piece, a shallow purple camalot. When I fell, the piece pulled and I decked on my butt. With some help, I was able to walk out. A trip to the ER revealed that I had fractured my pelvis. I'm out for about six weeks.

I'm really thankful to have been with the crew I was with. They assessed me and helped me walk out and were really patient and helpful. They also retrieved most of my gear.

We did have to leave one piece on the wall - a yellow x4 with a long draw. If anyone happens to climb Carpe Freeum in the coming days or weeks, and that piece is still there, it would be awesome to get it back.

I can think of a couple things I could have done differently to prevent this from happening. I think that the piece probably got worked loose when I whipped on higher pieces, as it was subjected to repeated outward pulls. I should have reset the piece on my second attempt and maybe it would have held. Also, I usually try to abide by the rule of "two pieces between you and the hospital". There was good gear lower, but I was trying to conserve and also didn't think a lower piece would have protected me for very long, and my second piece was only four feet higher than the one that blew, and I didn't think I would fall before clipping it.

hey,

Glad you made it out safely and are doing alright! your piece was definitely still there around end of the day that Saturday - I hope it makes it back your way.

Moderators - I originally posted this in the southern states forum, or so I thought. Could this thread be moved back to that location? Thanks!

kidda.... glad your ok, the ground hurts when it wacks you.

the mods sometime move things around, its just their way of doing things, sometimes.

Thanks for the encouragement yall. Alexander, were you one of the guys with the dog that ware over on pseudo hardman? Thanks for offering to help! Hope yall had a better session than me.