old men grumbing about j tree, bad jokes,and other related matters

Caro left us wrote:If its the one I saw from the Hidden Valley Day lot: A guy took about a 12 foot ground fall leading Left Ski. He walked out limping with some friends, might have been a broken ankle.

This was the accident on Saturday I think, around 5 pm? I saw this as well, and two girls from our party went over to the guy and taped his ankle. Didn't look like he had a piece in at all, but I couldn't really see that far. Apparently he just hobbled back to camp and spent Halloween with a limp.

James Sledd wrote: I was first on scene to an accident on Toe Crack last New Years. Waiting in line for the crapper, I watched a climber develop Elvis leg and fall about 20 feet up. He pulled his gear, decked, and smacked his unhelmeted head. He was snoring and unconscious when I got there, so I told the ranger (who was there for climbers' coffee) that he needed a helicopter ride. He woke up quickly enough to give his weed to his partner before getting on the bird and was fine. He was probably in the Palm Springs ER 45 minutes after the fall. I'm sure the bill hurt like a bitch, but if that same accident happened ten times, I'd bet money the flight would save someone's life.


James -- not sure if you ever got an update about this guy and thanks again for your help that day. I have spoken to the patient several times since last January and he is very appreciative of everyone who helped literally save his life. Even though he was not showing symptoms of increased ICP on the ground, by the time he was on the helicopter it had increased to a lethal level. His hasty flight to the ER saved his life because they were able to immediately remove part of his skull to drain the fluid. The 57 stitches make quite a scar. He recovered for about 2 months, and was able to work and climb again by April.

For everyone else, if you have an MOI that includes hitting your head in Joshua Tree National Park a helicopter will be called. The park is not going to take the chance that you don't need it.

FYI, a woman also broke her ankle on Toe Jam last week. She was victim to the 'death belay'. Meaning her leader belayed from the fixed anchor and and did not set a directional at the top of the crack. This scenario happens daily.

Jim -- Cheers to a speedy recovery.