Colorado Springs Man Lost Descending Shavano, Both Legs Amputated

[mountainrev]

Wow.
https://gazette.com/news/colorado-sprin ... 5b577.html

[RobLowe]

Feel sorry for the guy, but that is a trail that requires minimal route finding.

This comment is short-sighted. Each day on a mountain, even if it’s one you’ve been on many many times, is different.

Sorry to Mr. Noland. Sounds like a tough mf dude. Happy he can be with his family, unlike a lot of other less fortunate folks.

[rockchalker]

Nick was one of son’s teachers in middle school and a part time coach on the mountain bike team. Not sure what all transpired with his climb but he is a really great guy. A sad outcome but I am sure he will make the best of the situation.

[WVMountaineer]

Feel sorry for the guy, but that is a trail that requires minimal route finding.

You can take me off your winter email hiking list CaptCO. After your comment last week about hiking the collier on Quandry, wanting to do the Crestone traverse last week after the 19 peaks on your list, and this... I won't be hiking with you as you clearly don't get the full picture and are a rescue waiting to happen. Might want to invest in a personal location beacon before you go out again. We get it, you're trying to make an impression on the forum that you know what you're doing and you're a badass winter hiker but the comments I've seen from you over the last week just make me want to avoid you.

To me it didn't seem like this guy got lost from the trail but tried finding a quicker way down the mountain after possibly not being prepared enough for the weather and got lost below treeline. I feel really bad this guy lost his lower legs as a result.

[WVMountaineer]

Sorry you got that impression but you seem confused. Happy hiking!

Thanks for your private messages CaptCO and my skin will remain thick as it stays safe and more weather resistant that way. It seems I can't return messages to you so I'll leave this here. I'm not saying you're incapable of any of these things or that your list to this date is insignificant because it's not but the decision making you express publicly on this forum seems questionable. Just be safe out there.
WV

[BirdMan]

Hi All - Agreed, I'm not sure what happened as Shavano is not thought of as a difficult peak - still, an awful outcome.

My understanding is a family friend of the husband created the below link to help the family for any that are interested.

https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/3qn8e1 ... KJ4kh5lT5c

I don't know the climber myself, but my daughters went to the elementary school where the family friend teaches.

Thanks / Stay safe out there...

[Jorts]

Can anyone (SAR?) provide more insight? Weather conditions? His mode of travel? Seems a lot could be learned from this incident.

[JQDivide]

Feel sorry for the guy, but that is a trail that requires minimal route finding.

You can take me off your winter email hiking list CaptCO. After your comment last week about hiking the collier on Quandry, wanting to do the Crestone traverse last week after the 19 peaks on your list, and this... I won't be hiking with you as you clearly don't get the full picture and are a rescue waiting to happen. Might want to invest in a personal location beacon before you go out again. We get it, you're trying to make an impression on the forum that you know what you're doing and you're a badass winter hiker but the comments I've seen from you over the last week just make me want to avoid you.

To me it didn't seem like this guy got lost from the trail but tried finding a quicker way down the mountain after possibly not being prepared enough for the weather and got lost below treeline. I feel really bad this guy lost his lower legs as a result.

Have to agree with WVM on this...
JQ

[mtree]

Being an avid solo hiker who consistently pushes the safety envelope, I can relate to what happened. Not that I know the details, but when you're out there on your own things can go sideways in a hurry.

I've found myself at the trailhead several times without all the gear I "should have" brought, or simply forgot, and deciding to wing it anyway. It happens. Most times this worked out ok, but occasionally I was uncomfortably uncomfortable or simply had to turn back to survive. I must admit I've been lucky.

All it takes is one wrong turn, the drive to go over that last ridge, or a string of oblivious daydreaming, and you can find yourself disoriented, in a tough pickle, or completely lost. And there's no-one to turn to for a second opinion. I know winter conditions is no time to be trying shortcuts or varying from my planned route. Still, situations can turn very fluid. Once I found myself up to my hips in sugar after choosing to go around those FREAKIN' rocks on my return trip. Felt like I was in frozen quicksand. Another time I looked behind me only to be surprised at the size of that thunderhead! Where did THAT come from?!!! And just last year I found myself looking for my compass as visibility dropped to zero on my descent. I've learned that regardless of all my planning Mother Nature never offers up advice or warnings. That little bitch.

I wish Nick the best in his recovery. We all take risks. We accept there are consequences. It just sucks when it doesn't play out so well. Be well.

[Dan_Suitor]

Here is a link to an article with more information: https://kdvr.com/2019/10/31/colorado-sp ... t-on-14er/ . The video shows him explaining the ordeal.

Walking through the snow with no shoes, now I understand how he ended up losing his legs. I feel for Mr. Noland and can’t even imagine losing both my legs.

Mr. Noland is not the first to get lost on Mt. Shavano. If I remember correctly, every few years somebody ends up getting off route and descending the wrong way into some real thick fallen trees. In any case, going through the woods in the dark with snow on the ground and nobody’s tracks to follow is never easy. I’m surprised that he made it back to his vehicle on his own.

[ZNixon]

Hopefully this hiker will be given the ability to hike again!

[RobLowe]

My only comment on this thread called “CaptCO’s” comment short-sighted, pointed out that conditions vary on mountains even if you’ve been to them many times, and wished Mr. Noland well.

The quote currently attributed to me regarding CaptCO is not something I wrote. The reasons I think the comments scolding Mr. Noland are short-sighted are (1) it could happen to any of us, even the most experienced; and (2) he required amputations, I’m sure that was a difficult and painful enough experience.

There’s no need for the Monday morning quarterbacks to jump in here and pile on on a guy who by all accounts appears to be well-liked in his community, teaching children and raising a family. If you want to learn a lesson, go read about the incident. These things happen and they will continue to happen, regardless of what you write in this forum.