Colorado Springs Man Lost Descending Shavano, Both Legs Amputated

[Buckie06]

how heartbreaking

[the_hare]

Found this article from 2 yrs ago where he was back to trailrunning and running 5ks on prosthetic blades. I think he might have mentioned this at one point but he emphasizes in this article how his bipolar disorder likely impacted his impulsive and desperate decision to leave for Shavano at such a late hour in the first place. Perhaps that influenced his decision to leave his well-stocked pack below the summit which he lost coming down as well. He was only diagnosed in the hospital after his accident, but he found it made sense of his previous behavior and depression swings.

Reading this made me realize how I haven't really seen mental wellness emphasized in "10 essentials" and other hiking preparedness-type info. Of course a lot of folks if not most get outside to find some sort of mental wholeness and equilibrium, but mental illness as seen in this case can drastically alter decision making in the mountains to severe risk.

RIP to Nick, the injury really seemed to open his heart to others in a really special way, seems like it took a lot of courage to get to that place after facing so much loss.

https://gazette.com/pikespeakcourier/af ... babae.html

[Salient]

Found this article from 2 yrs ago where he was back to trailrunning and running 5ks on prosthetic blades. I think he might have mentioned this at one point but he emphasizes in this article how his bipolar disorder likely impacted his impulsive and desperate decision to leave for Shavano at such a late hour in the first place. Perhaps that influenced his decision to leave his well-stocked pack below the summit which he lost coming down as well. He was only diagnosed in the hospital after his accident, but he found it made sense of his previous behavior and depression swings.

Reading this made me realize how I haven't really seen mental wellness emphasized in "10 essentials" and other hiking preparedness-type info. Of course a lot of folks if not most get outside to find some sort of mental wholeness and equilibrium, but mental illness as seen in this case can drastically alter decision making in the mountains to severe risk.

RIP to Nick, the injury really seemed to open his heart to others in a really special way, seems like it took a lot of courage to get to that place after facing so much loss.

https://gazette.com/pikespeakcourier/af ... babae.html

I suppose you never think about it but a person’s mental state is the single most important thing that affects their decision making skills. Confusion and Overconfidence can happen to anyone and that’s why we have so many words of warning for everyone throughout this site who wishes to attempt various peaks. Some people will still have difficulties regardless of advice due to external factors and this is something we should always be wary of whenever we do adventurous outdoor activities and keep in our minds whenever we feel the need to judge people for making such mistakes.