Another person, in our canyon community had a rough go of it, while climbing in Yosemite and is comfortable sharing the cause of the accident so others can learn from it. I would wish her a speedy recovery, but she seems to be doing just fine. Go, Megan, go!!
I wrote her to share the story of a death on Mt. Formidable, a mountain we had climbed together in the North Cascade’s. her replies….
Wow, I’m really sorry to hear that. I had a near death experience myself this earlier this summer (june 9th) while climbing in yosemite. I was on a two pitch climb at Arch Rock. I was at the top of the second pitch rapping to the anchor of the first pitch. I didn’t have my ropes even and didn’t tie knots at the rope ends. One end of the rope was 5 feet short of the anchor and when the short end went through my rappel divice, I fell about 70 feet to the ground. YOSAR had to come rescue me and I was air-vacced to the hospital. I spent three weeks in the hospital and six weeks at my parents house in Georgia. I had 3 pelvic fractures, 12 vertibrae were fractured with a T4 burst fracture, both shoulder blades were fractured, a couple ribs were fractured and I sprained a wrist. My lungs were severly bruised and filled with fluid, my liver was lacerated, and I lost function of my left kidney because a major artery broke creating a hemotoma the size of a football. It was an extremely painful and traumatic experience to say the least. But I am having an extremly speedy recovery. I just got back to Yosemite yesterday to finish out the season here. I even did a little climbing with some friends on my way back west. I am still recovering and will take it very easy for a while. I went to the spot where I fell this morning to look at it myself. It truely is a miracle I am alive and walking. I landed in a tiny dirt spot between lots of rocks. A higher power was involved, and I have a very good crew of guardian angles. Seems I’ve heard of lots of accidents this summer; must be a bad year for them. Yall be careful out there. Love, Megan
— adkramoo@aol.com wrote:
> Gee, girl. I wondered where you went. I don’t know > what to say…We lost 3 in our community to > accidents this yaer already. Can i share this info > with our mutual friends? Tom, Moe etc? Also can I > share it anonymously with the canyon forum, about > rapping accidents? No name used? You being back up > and at it, is a tribute to the way you have kept > yourself flexible and in shape also. Lordy, lordy. > And Aaron led a 9 pitch climb yesterday at 13,000 > ft! Keep in touch, please. I would like to see you > again soon > Ram
Then Megan again
Yeah, absolutely you can share my story. You don’t have to keep me anonymous either. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I feel like an idiot for rapping off the end of my rope, but I’ve accepted it and hope others can learn from my mistake. Being in good shape and doing lots of yoga has definitly helped with recovery.
I always knew Aaron would be a Rockstar. He has a great head on him. Thats so cool that he is climbing like that at such a young age. Tell him I think thats awesome and congrats.
Tom’s photos of Isaac were beautiful. Buckey looks different with a bread, I hardly recognized him. Yeah, I will definitly stay in touch. Keep me on the email list and hopefully we can meet up for a canyon excursion. Love, Megan