Rock Kliembber Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 No additional injury... Two cams, a biner and a quickdraw left on the wall. Saturday, July 5th: About 30 feet below the roof on the second pitch, and about 14' above my last cam placement, my Achilles Tendon tore and ejected me off the wall. Free falling about 35 feet on my back, waiting for the rope to come tight, wondering if the placement had let go, bracing for hitting a ledge... the rope comes tight and gently stops me and pushes me into the wall upside down. Minor arm rash, small bruise on my back and a hit on the helmet was the only "fall" damage. The Rock Empire "Durango" cam held well. Wear your Helmet!!! Major head damage would have happened without the helmet! Body assesment showed a blown Achilles Tendon the only disabling injury. I lowered to the bolt level and placed a locking biner to finish the descent. My belay partner was perfect, a real life saver! The bolt I put the biner on was loose, so I left a quick draw as back-up on the next bolt. Two cams were above me and not retrievable in my condition. Finders keepers for the gear, but I would appreciate a note on the condition of the gear from anyone that found it. Probably facing surgury to repair the tendon... Thanks, rich.minter@gmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Off_White Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 I'm glad it didn't turn out any worse. I was one of the two folks who chatted your party up at the spring down by the road. Hope your healing is swift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sobo Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Wow. Nice save, rich. Hope you heal up soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SExNW Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 We were on Dirty Sanchez on Sat. and saw you fall...big fall. We found your gear on Sunday. Just sent mail to your google. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Whoa. Glad things did not turn out worse for you on that fall. Good luck on the future surgery and healing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckaroo Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 You weren't taking antibiotics lately were you? LINK US drug watchdog wants tendinitis warning on common antibiotic The US Food and Drug Administration has asked manufacturers of antibiotics in the fluoroquinolone family to beef up warnings that taking the anti-microbial medication increases the risk of tendinitis or tendon rupture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock Kliembber Posted July 10, 2008 Author Share Posted July 10, 2008 Thanks for the note about antibiotics. I have not taken any for five years. I am scheduled for surgery on Tuesday. For what it is worth, hindsight shows that I was grossly overstressing my ankla and calf without understanding the possibilit of failure. Rich AKA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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