Falling on North Star

[zootloopz]

Hello everyone,

Back in April I took a fall / slide of ~400 feet off the north side of North Star.

You can read the full report here: https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/triprepo ... trip=22081

I'm posting this for the sake of discussion, and because I enjoy engaging with this community and want to contribute, even when the outcome is negative. North Star is considered to be an "easy" snow climb, but still has quite the objective danger as demonstrated by my account above.

There were some questionable decisions made during the day, all of which are nice to be able to reflect on.

[daway8]

Wow, thanks for sharing! I remember that being a very dramatic looking ridge in winter - can't imagine falling from it! Glad you came through relatively intact. It's a good reminder how easily and quickly things can go very very wrong even from a simple easy to make mis-step.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

[Gueza]

Glad you turned out alright man! No joke of a fall. It takes a lot of courage and humility to share these kinds of things. Mad respect.

Kudos on toughing it out a good ways with a knee injury and doing your absolute best to only use the minimal amount of rescue services possible. I have no doubt you have grown a lot as a person because of this, and that you will be an even safer and better climber in the future. Sh#t happens, don't beat yourself up too much. Learn, be thankful, and move on.

Cheers to a speedy recovery,

Gueza

[Sbenfield]

Thanks for sharing your story. Glad you are alive!

[k_fergie]

I was splitboarding on North Star that same morning! I turned around at the first/false summit, the wind was insanely cold. I ran into, what I can now assume, was the rest of your CMC cohort that took the lower mining roads and I chatted with them for a little bit about conditions and whatnot.

I am glad that you are okay, it was mighty cold and windy that day, having the strength to keep your spirits up and your body moving was likely critical. Perseverance and reflection will make you a stronger climber as a result of your experience

[Scott P]

Glad you are OK. I once (literally) got blown off North Star one December day and it seems to have a number of mishaps for such a benign appearing climb. I won't go as far to call the mountain cursed, but there is something about that mountain when it comes to bad luck.

[zootloopz]

Thanks everyone for the responses and support! It could've certainly been worse, although my brain really would like to move for 8+ hours a day again

I was splitboarding on North Star that same morning! I turned around at the first/false summit, the wind was insanely cold. I ran into, what I can now assume, was the rest of your CMC cohort that took the lower mining roads and I chatted with them for a little bit about conditions and whatnot.

I am glad that you are okay, it was mighty cold and windy that day, having the strength to keep your spirits up and your body moving was likely critical. Perseverance and reflection will make you a stronger climber as a result of your experience

Yeah the wind was ferocious that day. Tbh I love the feeling and energy of enduring adverse conditions.

Glad you turned out alright man! No joke of a fall. It takes a lot of courage and humility to share these kinds of things. Mad respect.

Kudos on toughing it out a good ways with a knee injury and doing your absolute best to only use the minimal amount of rescue services possible. I have no doubt you have grown a lot as a person because of this, and that you will be an even safer and better climber in the future. Sh#t happens, don't beat yourself up too much. Learn, be thankful, and move on.

Cheers to a speedy recovery,

Gueza

Much appreciated. Trying to not allow my ego to engage too much but it's certainly a bit pissed at not being able to have all the fun of this heavy snow year. I will always remember meeting you on Quandary in March and seeing you ski. First time I've seen someone legit bomb down a 14er!

[Ed_Groves]

Thanks for bumping this. Somehow, I missed it when you first put it out. Excellent trip report. I am glad you made it out safely and "relatively unscathed" for that long of a fall. Kudos on your handling of the situation and to your CMC colleagues, Chris and Chance.