MichelleF

The docs said that I was in the "LD-90" category, which means that anyone falling over 50 feet has a 90% chance of dying from their injuries - hence the "lethal dose 90%". I didn't mention that I did recover fully except for some reduced range of motion on my left hip. My right hip took the full brunt of the fall. It was shattered, along with that side of my pelvis. The trauma surgeons agreed to put my surgeries off for a day until this particular ortho surgeon got back from vacation. He put me back together (with the help of lots of metal parts.) The only downside to this whole story is that I've developed some serious aches and pains in my hips, especially in the winter (and I live in Alaska!) But, the upside to this story is that I had docs that were fantastic and supportive and an incredible support team of friends/coworkers and family. In fact, not to stretch this out any longer than it needs to be, but when I wanted to go home,the hospital was going to release me to a rehab facility because I had to have 24 hour care still. I did not want to go there, I wanted to go home. So, my mom had a hospital bed set up in her living room and between her, my boyfriend, some friends and my coworkers, they did up a sign up sheet and I had 24 hour care for six weeks. It was amazing. My boss actually came out and took care of me. You really become humble. It just wasn't my time to go because the lesson I learned from it was incredible. Back to my original question. There was a guy who fell right after I did and I know there were one or two people who feel in 2000 & 2001 because I was working at Mt. Hood then. So, I'll keep trying to track em down.

It's really just a paper - no lawsuit.

Yes, my name is really Michelle, I'm really a chick, I'm really a park ranger up on the Alaska Peninsula (near Lake Clark & Katmai) where there are very few people and a lot of bears. You asked, so here it goes, August 4, 1998, me and 5 others were going to do some evening climbing. It was hot and dry and the soil was really loose. I don't consider this a climbing accident by the way because I was not climbing when I fell. We were going to rappel down two pitches and climb back up. We were right near silver bullet, if I remember right but hey I've had a head injury. Anyway, one of my partners was setting up our first top rope and I was walking down the access trail which consisted of a scramble over some rocks. I scrambled but when my feet were supposed to come down solid, they didn't. Instead, they slid and I went right over the edge. I remember trying to grab for stuff but there wasn't anything and none of my partners were watching. So, I slid over the edge and blacked out about half way down. Some climbers on the route next to us said that I did somersaults all the way down. They said that It looked like I initially landed on my feet and then right on to my right hip and butt. I had a backpack on which saved my back. The climbers ran over to me, they said they were freaking out because I wasn't breathing and they were freaking because they thought they might have to do CPR. Lucky for them or me, I started breathing on my own and woke up. I couldn't see at first and was having trouble breathing. One of my partners rappelled down to me and another ran down the access trail. Another partner found someone with a cell phone and called 911. It took the fire department a little while to get there and it took them 45 minutes to get me out. The actually had to use our gear. The EMT was assessing my injuries. I was in total shock by then and had no clue as to what was going on. The EMT kept asking me to wiggle my toes and I asked him what for, why couldn't I just get up and finish my climb. THen the guy checked my hips and I about passed out. Well, they got me to the ambulance and took me to Emannual Trauma Center. I basically had broke both hips, my pelvis, my left tibia and ankle, right ulna, fractured my skull in two places, tore my right eye, tore my small intestine, punctured my liver and collapsed both lungs. I spent two weeks in the ICU and another two weeks in the head injury ward. Initially they told my mom and boyfriend that I wouldn't walk for a least a year but I was walking by Thanksgiving thanks to nine months of physical therapy. I climbed at horse thief falls that following spring.

I appreciate your useful reply. Thought I would add that I am one of the people that actually fell while climbing at Rocky Butte. Survived the whole 65 foot trip right near silver bullet. I'm actually writing a report and am attempting to discuss/compare mine to some of the others.

I'm just doing some research for a term paper. Would all of you do me a huge favor and access your memories for any recollections of accidents (climbing/hiking) at Rocky Butte in Portland, Oregon. All I am looking for is when you think it was, what details you remember and if you can remember a name that would be great. Thanks for any and all assistance! Michelle