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Climber fall at Trapps - CCK Direct 8/9/14

Matt Rhodin · · Golden, CO · Joined Sep 2014 · Points: 190

I helped with the rescue that day. My friend who is a local said that the victim ended up paralyzed from the waist down. Don't hold me to that; it's just what I heard. I hope it is not true and that he indeed made a full recovery.

SethG · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 291

I'm really sorry to hear that (if it is true). Florian deleted his post to this thread which seems like a bad sign.

cms829 · · NJ · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 90

Can anyone confirm the above?

GabeO · · Boston, MA · Joined May 2006 · Points: 302

I agree that that section off the GT ledge is very serious. My first time up the route I looked around for some time, trying to figure out a way I felt comfortable with, before finally backing off. I had done perhaps a half a dozen 5.10s at the Gunks, but there were moves in that section I just wouldn't do. Since then I've always been surprised that the route doesn't have a more serious reputation. I certainly wasn't prepared for what I found. Well, I suppose I was prepared, in the sense that I was prepared to back off! My next time up, I was more mentally prepared for what I would have to do, and did it without a hitch.

Best wishes for the injured (and perhaps paralyzed) climber.

GO

Flo climbing · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2014 · Points: 20

Injured climber here.

Sorry that I deleted my original post, it was for professional reasons. After my accident, I was paralyzed from the waist down. I sustained a fractured vertebrae which left me with an incomplete spinal cord injury. After major surgery, 10 days in the trauma ICU and 6 weeks in rehab, I began to regain back some sensation and leg movements. I was told I may walk again but it wasn't certain, only time and training would tell. After returning home I started to progress amazingly fast. From being in wheel chair to a walker to crutches to now being able to walk freely. I keep making progress everyday and I am hoping to make a full recovery in the next 1-2 years although it a long road ahead. My surgeon says my recovery is a real miracle.

I really want to thank everyone who was apart of my rescue that day on August 9. I keep good memories of you carrying me to the track, despite the suffering and pain I was experiencing, I was moved by how the community pulled together for me. I also want to do a special thanks to the climbers from the cliffs at LIC and their continued support (see picture below).

I would be happy to hear from anyone who witnessed or was apart of my rescue to share your experience with me.

Flo

Rescue

MRI after fall

The cliffs at LIC

Climbing at 2,5 month

M Santisi · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 1,874

Hi Florian,

Very happy to see your response. Pulling for you man and so happy to hear your making progress. I have no doubt you'll be out on the cliffs again.

Matt

cms829 · · NJ · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 90

Wow dude that's absolutely amazing and seriously great to hear! Keep your chin up and stay strong!

I hope to have the honor of sharing a rope with you one day. Cheers!

ClimbingOn · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 0

That is fantastic news! Congratulations on the amazing recovery. I, like everyone else there that day, was more than happy to help with the carry. It is great to see the community come together so quickly in a time of need. Hope to see you out there next year under happier circumstances!

Lanky · · Tired · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 255

Right on! Glad to hear you're recovering as well as you are. Here's a cool video about Josh Wharton, who broke his back in a fall and got back to climbing at a pretty high standard: vimeo.com/16553629

SethG · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 291

I'm so glad to see your post Florian! Your story is inspiring, keep it up!

Paul H · · Pennsylvania · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 5

Fantastic news! Best wishes on the recovery!

MojoMonkey · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 66

Good to hear you are making fantastic progress! Looking forward to an eventual update with some photos of you climbing at the Gunks again!

runout · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 30

So happy to hear that paralysis was not permanent!

Jeffrey Dunn · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2007 · Points: 229

Very good news. Thanks for sharing.

Best,

Jeff

lucander · · Stone Ridge, NY · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 260

This is such great news after last week's accident, great work on rehabbing! TFPU

Kevin Heckeler · · Las Vegas, NV · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 1,616
Flo climbing wrote:Injured climber here... Flo
There may be a lot of joking, drinking/smoking, and arguing (on MP) -- but when it comes down to it, fellow climbers are at the top of the list of people I want there to help in my time of need.

Hopefully we'll see you at the walls sometime soon. :)
Guy Keesee · · Moorpark, CA · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 349

Good news.... indeed.

Lots of people never resurface after they get injured climbing.

So good for you, getting back on the horse is not EZ.

Now you have a thrilling tale to tell around the climbing campfire.

Benjamin Brooke · · San Pedro, CA · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 1,050

Much respect to you Florian, for posting up here. Best wishes to you in your recovery.

Derick L · · Philadelphia, PA · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 235

Good to hear you're doing well, Florian. Best wishes for the rest of your recovery!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Injuries and Accidents
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