Colorado Springs Man Lost Descending Shavano, Both Legs Amputated

[Wentzl]

Yeah you missed the only decision that mattered.

All those you listed would have been inconsequential if he did not decide to hike in the snow with sneakers.

Who would have guessed it needed to be said.

Snow? Boots and gaiters.

[REM12082010]

I couldn't read the Gazette article - I think it's "premium" content, unfortunately (but you know: journalists gotta eat).

Here's a free version https://www.outtherecolorado.com/surviv ... 9w7SR84vlw

Thanks for the link...somewhat put-off by the Gazette...

[REM12082010]

It is pretty amazing that he self-rescued! I with the best for him and his family.

From the article, it does seem like he was well prepared for the hike but two decisions ended up costing him - leaving his pack with his gear to go for the summit and, without finding it on the way back down (he said he thinks he was within 20 feet of it), changing course for what he thought was a faster way down (he saw the lights of Salida and headed that way), though from the article it was not clear if he lost the trail when he made that change of course.

One thing that stood out for me was that he met a group of hunters who pointed him the right direction back to his car. However, it doesn't seem from the article that they assisted him. Assuming arguendo that they didn't (the article gives info which strongly implies they didn't do anything to help him other than point the way to his car) - why not? They find a guy without shoes, his feet in bad condition, etc. I would think they would do what they could, including helping him down the trail, helping him get warm liquids, wrap his feet up, carry him, make the 911 call for him ASAP, etc.

Incomprehensible to me that you could find an individual so needy and not rise to the occasion!!!

[DArcyS]

I've had an issue with trail runners because I felt like people were only considering the benefit of a light weight shoe.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=56328&p=687447&hili ... rs#p687447

https://14ers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=53319&start=12

The risk of trail runners should always be considered. Will a boot be better at preventing a slip on snow? Will a boot be better at preventing a sprained ankle, especially on longer hikes where fatigue will set in? Will a boot be better at insulating your foot and preventing frost bite?

This type of thing where a mistake lasts for the rest of your life is horrible stuff. Best of luck to Nick, his family, and his recovery.

[HikesInGeologicTime]

It is pretty amazing that he self-rescued! I with the best for him and his family.

From the article, it does seem like he was well prepared for the hike but two decisions ended up costing him - leaving his pack with his gear to go for the summit and, without finding it on the way back down (he said he thinks he was within 20 feet of it), changing course for what he thought was a faster way down (he saw the lights of Salida and headed that way), though from the article it was not clear if he lost the trail when he made that change of course.

One thing that stood out for me was that he met a group of hunters who pointed him the right direction back to his car. However, it doesn't seem from the article that they assisted him. Assuming arguendo that they didn't (the article gives info which strongly implies they didn't do anything to help him other than point the way to his car) - why not? They find a guy without shoes, his feet in bad condition, etc. I would think they would do what they could, including helping him down the trail, helping him get warm liquids, wrap his feet up, carry him, make the 911 call for him ASAP, etc.

Incomprehensible to me that you could find an individual so needy and not rise to the occasion!!!

According to the article:

As they pointed Noland to the short path that would lead to the trailhead parking and his car, Noland felt relief. He laughed and joked with the hunters, forming his plan of recovery. He knew he had survived.

As I recall, that path is really short, so I could see how he might have waved off any further offers of assistance once he realized exactly how close he was. I’ve been up S—t Creek without a paddle a time or two myself and can personally attest to the impulse to truly believe everything’s fine and dandy even when there’s a preponderance of evidence to the contrary.

One detail that jumped out at me in the interview in today's Gazette was that he was apparently wearing trail runners, not boots. That certainly contributed to him losing his footwear (and ultimately feet). I sometimes wear trail runners when hiking 14ers, but only in the summer.

It is possible to lose a boot to snow. Granted, in my case, it was heavy spring snow that took serious effort just to yank my leg from (and once I freed it, the snow rushed in quickly and solidly enough that the boot was a goner), but it’s doable.

I’m just happy I had my emergency rain jacket with me to wrap my foot in for the return trip to my car, because that was uncomfortable (and humiliating!) enough without a cold *and* wet foot.

[JROSKA]

All of these actions (dropping packs, late morning starts, losing the track, etc) are regularly taken/experienced by the entire spectrum of mountaineering skill level. It isn't the action itself that is necessarily at fault, but the lack of consideration for consequences and ways to mitigate those consequences in a situational context.

This was my take from it too. Adding in the decision to use trail runners. It’s not that any single decision was bad in itself (as others have pointed out, the weather that day was pleasant), but taken as a whole, it does seem to indicate a lack of consideration of “what if ...”, etc. Speculation of course but the likely thinking was “I know my pace, I’ll be up and on my way down this peak before dark”. With a general backdrop of, everything will turn out fine. Starting out with a positive mindset and not dwelling too much on what could go wrong is great, and admittedly I go to far to the other extreme (of worry) and tend to over-think in preparing.

Seems like there’s a balance to be struck. Trying to consider and plan for every single contingency or potential negative event isn’t healthy, but on the other hand, there needs to be at least some awareness of “what if”, especially when we get outside the summer season.

[timisimaginary]

One detail that jumped out at me in the interview in today's Gazette was that he was apparently wearing trail runners, not boots. That certainly contributed to him losing his footwear (and ultimately feet). I sometimes wear trail runners when hiking 14ers, but only in the summer.

It is possible to lose a boot to snow. Granted, in my case, it was heavy spring snow that took serious effort just to yank my leg from (and once I freed it, the snow rushed in quickly and solidly enough that the boot was a goner), but it’s doable.

I’m just happy I had my emergency rain jacket with me to wrap my foot in for the return trip to my car, because that was uncomfortable (and humiliating!) enough without a cold *and* wet foot.

not sure how much help the trail runners would have been even if they stayed on his feet. he says his feet were already going numb before he lost them. very little insulation from the cold, and once he went through the snowfield and later plunged into the water, those feet are staying wet and cold with or without the shoes.

[mtree]

Hindsight is 20/20.

When hiking solo experience counts for everything.

[mtree]

Hindsight is 20/20.

When hiking solo experience counts for everything.

Be Prepared: The Motto of the Boy Scouts of America

If hindsight was as good as foresight, some folks wouldn't wear yoga pants.

[kingshimmers]

All of these actions (dropping packs, late morning starts, losing the track, etc) are regularly taken/experienced by the entire spectrum of mountaineering skill level. It isn't the action itself that is necessarily at fault, but the lack of consideration for consequences and ways to mitigate those consequences in a situational context.

It's fairly elementary to harp on big picture decisions. But it makes for a better learning opportunity to delve a step further: accept that his decisions best balanced reward versus risk in his particular situation. What were those rewards? What were the risks? Which risks were not considered? How could he have better mitigated the risks while still favoring the rewards? Perhaps his solution was as simple as marking a GPS waypoint and stuffing a few items into his pockets. Perhaps not.

I can't say it any better than this. The lesson I'll be reinforcing with Mr. Noland's experience is: an individual decision's significance is dependent on all the decisions made prior to it. It can be easy to disregard all of those prior (usually minor) decisions in the moment.

I'd like to thank Mr. Noland for sharing the painful details of his experience. I am so glad you're back with your family and get to enjoy teaching those kids about the mountains you so obviously love. Best wishes for the recovery ahead. We'll be thinknig of you.

[CORed]

Yeah you missed the only decision that mattered.

All those you listed would have been inconsequential if he did not decide to hike in the snow with sneakers.

Who would have guessed it needed to be said.

Snow? Boots and gaiters.

This is the one that mystifies me. It seems like a recipe for cold wet feet at best, and what happened to him at worst.

[thompsonlaurak]

In case no one has posted this, Nolan was interviewed for about an hour on the podcast The Out There Colorado Podcast. I appreciate him taking the time to tell his story and helping others be more prepared.

Episode 33: Survival at the Cost of Amputation

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t ... 1448513180
(I just grabbed the apple podcast link but I'm sure you can find it elsewhere)