markwebster Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 I don't know if any of you know Paul Bailey. He has climbed all over Washington and smith so I suspect some of you have seen him around. He worked for rmi two summers ago, and spent last summer working in mazama...maybe for outward bound. He is on a road trip in Australia and just took a very bad roof fall. newspaper story He had $25,000 of medical insurance, but that won't cover his costs. I'll be sending him what I can. Paul and I spent 3 weeks together at jtree this xmas. http://www.websterart.com/html/jtree2008.html The guy is an awesome climber and partner. more info here: paul bailey website If you believe in prayer... Quote
Plaidman Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 Sent a little money. I hope someone will do the same for me if I was there. All the love and prayer man. You can do it! Plaidman Quote
rob Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 very sorry to hear this I'll throw some money in the pot, too. R Quote
Sherri Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 Mark, you're a good partner to be there for him like this, posting up so we can all pitch in w/the cash and concern. Coming together as a community is a an unexpected part of climbing that I'm appreciating more and more. Thanks for sending up the signal for Paul. Quote
goatboy Posted October 24, 2009 Posted October 24, 2009 More info: Paul did indeed work at Outward Bound in Mazama last summer and I can attest that he's an incredibly kind, charismatic guy and a safe climber who had some bad luck (a bolt reportedly sheared off or pulled out in his fall). He's a really good guy and any donation, even a tiny amount, would help and show him that the climbing community sticks together and supports each other through difficult situations. I think any good news he can get at this point would be welcome. Thanks everyone, Steve Quote
Joe_Poulton Posted October 24, 2009 Posted October 24, 2009 That sucks...I don't know where the post is now...but could his fall be related to the bad bolts that were posted previously at an area in Australia...?? I think there was even a video of the local climbers pulling the bolts out by hand?? Quote
Joe_Poulton Posted October 24, 2009 Posted October 24, 2009 Was Paul climbing in the Blue Mountains? That's where this other incident happend: http://www.onsight.com.au/news-blog/articles/36/nicks-accident-what-happened Quote
ivan Posted October 24, 2009 Posted October 24, 2009 his bicep tat is totally familiar to me - maybe i saw him in index this summer? Quote
foraker Posted October 25, 2009 Posted October 25, 2009 Was Paul climbing in the Blue Mountains? That's where this other incident happend: http://www.onsight.com.au/news-blog/articles/36/nicks-accident-what-happened The Grampians are down in Victoria. The Blue Mtns are in New South Wales. Quote
Joe_Poulton Posted October 25, 2009 Posted October 25, 2009 Alright, then not the same location...thanks. Quote
markwebster Posted October 26, 2009 Author Posted October 26, 2009 yes, he has climbed a lot at index. Quote
goatboy Posted October 26, 2009 Posted October 26, 2009 Latest news from the blogspot site. Sounds like some big challenges ahead. Paul had surgery to repair his wrists yesterday. The surgeon said he had never seen wrists in such bad shape; the bones, like pieces of a broken mirror, were completely shattered into many small bits by the impact. The surgeon worked until 11pm to complete the surgery because he had to piece many tiny fragments back together again and reset the pieces with plates and pins. He remarked that Paul's wrists were a small sacrifice to his brain. If he had not covered his face with them, he probably would not be alive today. Post surgery Paul has acquired a low-grade fever (99-100) which is most likely due to an infection in one of his wounds. This is still being evaluated. The pressure in his head was also up for a while, but has been brought back down to about 10. The doctor said this is not abnormal and could have been a result of all of the shifting around. The Orthopedic surgeon feels Paul will have a positive result and should have good mobility in his wrists again; however, he will require six months to a year of therapy. Paul is scheduled to also have surgery to repair bones in and around his face because the compression of the hit fractured many of them. This has to be done soon before they start to heal improperly; however, the medical team is waiting for him to stabilize first. He is still in the induced coma, which I believe he will not be weaned out of until he is stable and his surgeries are completed. My family has been very impressed by the medical team at Alfred Hospital where they have been providing world-class care, support and kindness. My family is more than grateful for the time that they spend explaining everything and for their overall dedication to providing top-notch care. Quote
Plaidman Posted October 26, 2009 Posted October 26, 2009 Monster Mega Prayers to Paul and his family. Quote
markwebster Posted October 26, 2009 Author Posted October 26, 2009 imagine if that was you. This could happen to any of us. I was leading a route yesterday with less than optimal protection, considering a move that might result in a ledge fall. I thought about Paul...and backed off. My partner finished it for me. That's the great thing about this sport, we help each other out. Been thinking about buying a 5 camalot. It's payday, I think I'll make a donation to Paul's hospital account instead. There is no way we can approach what all that costs, but if those of us who know Paul pitch in for whatever we can spare, it would at least cheer him up a little when he comes out of the coma. Quote
goatboy Posted October 26, 2009 Posted October 26, 2009 I just donated too. Hope others will consider doing the same for a great guy who needs a little good news. Quote
pup_on_the_mountain Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 I also donated. Hope Paul gets healed up soon. Quote
markwebster Posted December 13, 2009 Author Posted December 13, 2009 The full story of the accident (from his belayer) has finally come out. Rather than post it here, I will let his family tell the story on the blog they are maintaining on Paul's recovery. The last I heard, Paul is mobile, but is still blind due to the head injury. There is a chance his vision may return. http://paulbaileyinfo.blogspot.com/ Quote
HB123 Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 This is amazing. Thank you all for your donations and amazing support. My name is Hannah, I'm an Aussie and I was climbing with Paul when he fell. Just to clear up, Paul was leading a trad climb and what we assume happened (because he wasn't actually in sight when he fell) was that he placed a nut and thinking it would be really strong pulled on it quite hard to secure it but the rock broke free and he swung out with it. The climb was only a grade 14 and he was doing the climb with 2 other really skilled climbers and of them he was the strongest. It goes to show that no matter how good you are you can have shit luck. Be careful. Paul has now flown back to the states as you may have read in the blog. Thanks again for the support and don't stop praying because the recovery is far from over. Quote
t_rutl Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 I never met Paul but hope his recovery continues to progress and progress quickly. Question for you Hannah (or anyone that might know), was he wearing a helmet when he fell? He seems to have sustained pretty severe trauma and am wondering if it happened despite using a helmet. Thanks and best wishes to Paul. Quote
Water Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 no helmet. the blog use to say something about wondering why he didn't have it on since he normally wore one, but i can't find that content anymore. Quote
sandalsclub Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 T. Only a full-face helmet would've done him any good. Make a full recovery Paul! Quote
t_rutl Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 Yeah, I read that he took it to the face from an overhanging rock which would explain things...I just didn't know if the brain trauma was amplified from an impact that could have been lessened from some head gear. Not questioning his choice to wear or not. Just wondering if it was one of those instances where bad luck sticks it to ya despite your best efforts. Thank you for the insight. Quote
sandalsclub Posted April 2, 2010 Posted April 2, 2010 T. And I appreciate your insight. Sure, there must've been a possibility of prevention. Dan, google We Love You Paul Bailey. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.