*** Climbing Accident on the Gunks ***

Mon Oct  2 07:38:52 1995
Message : #32669734    From: Jeffrey D. Fass
Address : jfass@nyc.pipeline.com
Group   : Usenet.rec.climbing
Subject : Re: Accident in Gunks - 9/30
Posted: 2 Oct 1995 10:31:50 -0400
Org.  : The Pipeline

In article <44n4p5$t4h$1@mhafc.production.compuserve.com>,
Dmitry Freitor writes:

>There was a bad (?) accident in Gunks this Saturday (9/30). Does
>someone has any info?
>-Dmitry

There were 2 rescue calls within 20 minutes of each other, so I heard. One
call was along the Trapps to the north of Uberfall, and I saw the rangers
bring a guy out tied and immobilized to a board. I then heard a ranger say
something about he'll live. The other rescue involved a helicopter,
somewhere in the Near Trapps. Sirens all over the place.
That's as far as I got.

Jeffrey
***********************************
Jeffrey Fass
Thronx from the Bronx
jfass@pipeline.com
70303.556@compuserve.com
***********************************

Mon Oct  2 08:41:35 1995
Message : #32672234    From: Victoria DellaSperanza
Address : vicki@vision.eri.harvard.edu
Group   : Usenet.rec.climbing
Subject : Re: Accident in Gunks - 9/30
Org.  : SERI

I was climbing nearby and heard the belayer's call for help. My partner
and I went to help and here's what we learned.  The leader was on High
Corner and took at 30 - 40 foot fall and sustained head injuries.He
either hit the GT ledge, or the belayer was able to lower him to the
ledge.  I do not know the full extent of the injuries, but I heard the
rescuers radioing back and forth and heard that the leader was conscious
and speaking. A helicopter flew the injured climber to the hospital
after he was lowered all the way down on a litter.

(Victoria DellaSperanza)


Subject: Re: Accident in Gunks - 9/30
Date: 2 Oct 1995 17:28:08 -0400
From:  ghiz@aol.com (Ghiz)
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)
Newsgroups: rec.climbing 

"High Corner" used to be infamous for killing and maiming lead climbers
(pre 1980).  I've never done the route because of it's reputation.  The
route is only rated 5.5 (I think) but supposedly, the last pitch climbs a
left facing corner (I assume the High Corner) and traverses up and left at
the very end with poor pro.  The end of the traverse is rounded, dirty and
covered in pine needles...just like the tops of many routes in the Trapps.
 A fall or slip from here may smack you back into the dihedral with
devistating force.

Maybe the serious reputation of this route is back.

HMAN

PS - I hope the guy is OK.



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