14ers.com

http://kdvr.com/2014/04/25/skier-seriou ... lson-peak/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Have you guys heard about this? Does anyone know him or how he's doing?

answering my own questions...

http://www.ouraynews.com/articles/2014/ ... ilson-peak" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I've known Joe personally and as very good friends for well over thirty years.

He's owner of San Juan Hut Systems and is one of the very early pioneers of backcountry and high peaks skiing.

Here's good thoughts sent out to Joe and his daughter Kelly who operates the business with him.

Hoping for a successful recovery.

So glad he's safe. What an intense fall.

Best wishes for a speedy and full recovery. This article has a little more detail and sounds pretty positive overall about his condition.

http://www.ouraynews.com/articles/2014/ ... -1800-feet" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have never met Joe but the most recent issue of Backcountry magazine has a nice story about him and the work he has done to build the San Juan Hut System. pretty cool stuff.

It stayed cold on thursday. We skied a N face at 2:30 and it was rock hard. Hope he comes out ok.

Best wishes to Joe for a full and speedy recovery.

I'm glad he's ok and hope his brain injury isn't too bad.
I guess when you interview an injured person you get this:

Ryan estimated the three started off on their descent at a 65 degree slope. He said he usually doesn't ski on slopes much greater than 50 degrees.

I've never skied a 65 degree slope and never will unless I'm about to go the hospital!

Good first person account of the accident here.

Reading this makes me realize I need to renew my Wilderness First Aid training.

Wow! Thanks so much for sharing that writeup!

Agreed on the need to obtain/freshen up wilderness first aid skills!

Amazing stuff. I once lost it on steep in-bounds line and lost my skis, sliding then feet first. Clawing and kicking I gained purchase and flipped head over heels backwards and continued to cartwheel for a while. He was so lucky in that bc terrain and those cliff bands. I'd certainly also like to get a WFR class under my belt. Whippets do rock. And I'm going to add a gps/mapping app to my phone just for another safety outlet.

After reading that, it's even more astounding that the guy lived with (relatively) minor injuries. Released from the hospital in two days! Someone was looking our for him!