Heart Pounding: See the Last-Second Rescue of an Ice Climber From a Near-Fatal Fall
- Posted on July 4, 2012 at 2:59pm by
Becket Adams
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While only a few details of the following video are known, we do know this much: a) the man is extremely lucky his fellow climbers come to his rescue and b) people do really, really astronomically stupid things (like ice climbing).
The problem begins when, near the summit of the climb, the melting ice starts to give way. This means that the climber has nothing to stick his picks into, which, of course, means he has nothing to hold onto. Luckily, his fellow climbers throw him a line, he attaches it to his belt, and (15 seconds later) the ice he’s standing on crumbles away.
“Although it’s not entirely clear where the video was shot, it is called ‘Ice Climbing Kennedy Gully’ and Kennedy’s Gully is a section of the Ouray Ice Park in Colorado,” the Huffington Post reports. “According to PlanetMountain.com, the fall the climber would have faced was at least 50 meters below him.”
50 meters translates into 160 feet — a fall that could have proven fatal.
“Epic,” the relieved climber says, “I owe you all some drinks now.”
“Come and rest,” one of his rescuers says. “I still got you. It’s okay. There’s water right there. Take a deep breath when you get here.”
While we are extremely thankful this video has a happy ending, we have two massive, burning questions:
1) Why, why, why would anyone ever do this? Now we enjoy the outdoors as much as the next guy but — come on! — what would possess someone to look at a mountain covered in ice and say “You know what? I’m going to climb that thing for fun! What could possibly go wrong?”
2) If you’re faced with a potential life-or-death situation, why would you film it on your phone and not do more to help out?
This story has been updated.
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kchercmech
Posted on July 7, 2012 at 5:28pmJust as this climber owes his life to his fellow climbers who were there to help him when he met with difficulty- Freedom loving Americans need each other to stave off the death of liberty. We are ALL on the same mountain only seconds away from falling over the edge.
Which one of you needs the rope I have to throw? Down with Socialism, Marxism, Obama’ism, Pelosi’ism, and the lot. I will never quit helping those Americans who will never cease to help themselves instead of relying on the GOVT.
Would you trust Obama to throw you a rope?
Report Post »blair152
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 5:09pmIce climbing’s insane.
Report Post »urrybr
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 4:24pmDon’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it. It is awesome. Living in New York and Chicago is much more dangerous.
Report Post »randydutton
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 1:34pmWhat’s the alternative? Sit in a recliner and watch ‘Jersey Shore’? Life is a challenge. Some like bigger ones than others.
Report Post »AlBundy
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 10:44amMaybe he thought he would get thirsty during the climb…looks like a case of cranial rectosis.
Report Post »pointforme
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 12:03pmi live 20 min from there, and when winter is in full swing the ice is not going anywhere, but this bozo looks like he’s climbing in spring time, and that is a big nono.
Report Post »blazingaway
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 9:56amNatural selection was robbed of taking another idiot who must not have a clue about water and ice.
Report Post »I’m glad the mad is alive to live another day … how many only God knows.
Why anyone would ever climb without a rope for safety on ice that was that thin with water running over it, melting the ice away is beyond being stupid.
rsanchez1
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 2:37amIce pick climbing when there is a lot of running water. This guy must be a freaking genius.
He’s just lucky someone up there really liked him, and lets him stay in this world instead of moving on to the next.
Report Post »another_mormon_4_Ron_Paul
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 11:28pmWHY would you go ice climbing when the ice is CLEARLY MELTING??????
Report Post »dennisS
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 11:14pmDo you think that we could get obama to take up that sport?
Report Post »Rock_Thrower
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 7:47pmThe guy has a rope already attached to him and is being belayed. He is also clipped into protection just a few feet behind him, so at worst his fall would have been a few feet not 50 meters. The problem was that he had no good ice to continue up, so they helped him out the last few feet.
Yes he would have fallen a few feet then the person belaying him would have had to lower him down.
Report Post »dvmartel
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 3:07pmThe author of this article, Becket Adams, knows nothing what so ever about climbing and the safety measures that were plainly evident in this video. Becket, It is you who is “really astronomically stupid” for penning your ignorant comments about a sport who’s safety precautions you know nothing about. Those watching and filming knew that he was ok and that is the reason there is no over reaction or panic. The additional safety line offered made it even safer for the climber.
Rock_Thrower got it 100% correct. “Yes he would have fallen a few feet then the person belaying him would have had to lower him down”
The climber clearly has safety ropes in place. The author does not know anything at all about climbing
Report Post »sferre
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 4:01pmExactly- This story and most of the comments are driving me crazy. Based on the article and the headline I thought he was climbing without a rope. What does the author of the story think the rope is for? You can see it clearly through most of the video. Whether or not he’s climbing with a safety rope is the difference between someone who is adventurous and someone who is trying to kill themselves. It might seem like a little thing , but it makes all of the difference in this story.
Report Post »GrumpyCat
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 4:40pmUnder the Federal Government’s newfound powers to tax anything for any reason, and that the climber might have survived and incurred great costs to Obamacare (rather than cheaply dying in the fall), all risky behavior will shortly be outlawed.
Report Post »Viperguy46
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 4:21pmGlad they all could laugh about it! How much toilet paper did he need to clean out his pants?
Report Post »That Ole Saying,” I climb it because it’s there” takes on a new meaning now!
LawlessKO
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 4:04pmWhy do you assume it’s a phone? And secondly doubtful he would have fallen 50meters as he is more than likely either belayed or clipped in below, given the rope hanging from him.
Report Post »LawlessKO
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 4:30pmMaybe it’s just me but is slush in running water really the best place to ice climb?
Report Post »LeadNotFollow
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 4:02pm…
Report Post »Thank God for good people, who are willing to help their fellow man.
Kenszen
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:32pmI believe the article’s #2 question is out of line. There obviously were several in the observing party, at least 2, maybe 3. Climbers video each other all the time. And they DID help when they saw and realized he was in distress and had no where to go. So why the question?
Report Post »freeberty
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:29pmThat was pretty quit feedback on making or not making the right decision.
Report Post »Kenszen
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:29pmIt wasn’t a “last-minute” rescue…it was 15 seconds! 15 seconds after he clipped in is when the ice flow collapsed. Wow. I know he’s counting his blessings that other climbing party was there.
Report Post »Sancho
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 9:32pmIt was not that the snow slid 15 sec. after the rope had been attached,
Report Post »it was worse:
15 sec. after the rope had been attached the guy stepped forth and that detached the snow.
He could easily make the last step before attaching the snow.
Conclusion: the guy was not 15 sec. away – he had been one step away!: //
Sancho
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 9:48pm…“before attaching the rope”, huh…
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:23pmGuy was lucky he put the rope on while he did. If you’re going to dance, you gotta pay the piper.
Report Post »At one point, it looked like his arm was shaking. I would be, too.
Psychosis
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:07pmkennedy gully is a sweet climb
its been about 10 years but i remember is well
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