Missing hiker in IPW: fatality & recovery

[JROSKA]

If this happens at 10-11 am versus 3 pm, the chances of rescuers getting to me before nightfall is significantly higher.

How did we get off on this tangent on this thread? Do we know for a fact that this individual started too late in the day?

[onebyone]

If this happens at 10-11 am versus 3 pm, the chances of rescuers getting to me before nightfall is significantly higher.

How did we get off on this tangent on this thread? Do we know for a fact that this individual started too late in the day?

No one said he did. You're reading into it what you want it seems. The Indian Peaks one was a fall so time of day didn't matter and I think it occurred earlier in the day. But it is still a relevant discussion.

[Veory]

Anyone, and I mean anyone, can bust an ankle on one these climbs

Checkmate

Probably less likely to be struck by lightning too. Colorado superpower?

Lately I've been starting my climbs later since my speed has increased. I didn't use a headlamp once this summer. That being said, I'm always hesitant to tell people my start time when asked because I don't want to *inspire* them to do the same. You have to start early until you know what you're capable of. I suspect that most of the outwards facing personalities in the CO mountain climbing community are also probably fast, and this might be rubbing off.

Granted, I think this will just happen often anyways. Everyone here has stories about an unequipped party starting up a hard route with storms beginning to brew. I think a lot of new, young climbers always have and always will want to prove themselves against nature a bit.

[seannunn]

On every single climb we saw people still going up after noon, with 1000' or more of hard climbing to go. The weather was good in every case, but we all know how quickly that can change. Or maybe we don't all know.
I don't know if the 2 trends are related. Also I am not sure how else to educate people about summer storms in CO and the importance of starting early.

I always start very very early for this reason alone. Anyone, and I mean anyone, can bust an ankle on one these climbs. Or take a bad fall. If this happens at 10-11 am versus 3 pm, the chances of rescuers getting to me before nightfall is significantly higher. If you get hurt late in the day, then decent chance you're spending the night up there. Add in cold temperatures, thunderstorms, etc. If you get hurt mid to late morning, there will likely be many more climbers behind you who can assist or can call in help= some even with medical or search and rescue experience and backgrounds.

I hadn't even considered that, but that is a big advantage to starting early as well.
A long time ago, a group I was with had a person with them badly sprain his knee. Fortunately it was early in the day (also fortunately it was Yale, rather than Capitol or Little Bear) and we were able to assist him down in plenty of daylight without having to trouble search and rescue.

Sean Nunn

[planet54]

The body was recovered 10/3 by a joint effort of several Search and Rescue Teams. RIP
https://www.skyhinews.com/news/body-is- ... nd-rescue/