Capitol Peak Trip Report 11/08/2015

Report Type	Mini
Peak(s)	Capitol Peak - 14,138 feet
Date Posted	11/08/2015
Modified	04/16/2021
Date Climbed	09/14/2014
Author	AnnaG22
Additional Members	mtn_nut, Hobbes301, katbiette

Capitol- When Rock Crumbles
In September 2014, my friend Hobbes301 and I were caught in rockfall on Capitol Peak. I escaped unscathed, while he survived a huge fall and a shattered left arm and other injuries. I learned a valuable lesson about geology that day. He gave me permission to share this story. It isn't short, but I would file it as Fairly Long; Do Read. Thank you Hobbes301, for letting me write about the incident from my perspective. Thank you to mtn_nut for the part he played in rescuing Hobbes301 and for helping me ensure accuracy on details I didn't remember clearly. Thank you BenfromtheEast and Dillon Sarnelli for use of photographs to accompany my writing- though I didn't use them all, they were enormously helpful in visualizing the scene. *Necessary note: I changed the name of the professional guide and another responder who helped with the rescue, as I was unable to contact them regarding what I have written. Text at this link: When Rock Crumbles Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Capitol- When Rock Crumbles

In September 2014, my friend Hobbes301 and I were caught in rockfall on Capitol Peak. I escaped unscathed, while he survived a huge fall and a shattered left arm and other injuries. I learned a valuable lesson about geology that day. He gave me permission to share this story. It isn't short, but I would file it as Fairly Long; Do Read.

Thank you Hobbes301, for letting me write about the incident from my perspective. Thank you to mtn_nut for the part he played in rescuing Hobbes301 and for helping me ensure accuracy on details I didn't remember clearly. Thank you BenfromtheEast and Dillon Sarnelli for use of photographs to accompany my writing- though I didn't use them all, they were enormously helpful in visualizing the scene.

*Necessary note: I changed the name of the professional guide and another responder who helped with the rescue, as I was unable to contact them regarding what I have written.

Text at this link:
When Rock Crumbles

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

Gene913	need help with link 11/8/2015 3:56pm error message says page cannot be displayed.
Jay521	What Gene said... 11/8/2015 4:05pm I get the same message....
sunny1	Here it is 11/8/2015 4:39pm http://designerchocolate.blogspot.com/2015/11/when–rock–crumbles.html Oddly enough, if I make it a URL link, it doesn’t work. You can cut and paste the link, that works. Wow, what an experience, for all involved. I need to think about this a bit, let it "soak in" before I can really comment. Thanks for posting - this must’ve been very difficult to write, although it seems going through the process may also aid healing by telling the story.
Jay521	No luck.... 11/8/2015 5:21pm Even with that link, I get "Sorry, the page you were looking for in this blog does not exist". But when I click on the "Home" link on that page, it takes me to where I can click on a workable link... (sometimes I just HATE the internet.... )
d_baker	Try 11/8/2015 5:40pm this. EDIT: doesn’t take you direct to story, but click ’home’ and it will. Jay, you’re kind of right except it’s the internet that hates some of us. ;)
AnnaG22	Gene and Jay 11/8/2015 5:49pm Thanks for the notes about the link. It should be fixed now. Just checked and there was a stray html character (yay internet :/ )
quackquackcolorado	Scary 11/8/2015 11:07pm That was a powerful read. Really glad to hear Justin made it out that day, and I wish him the best in his road to recovery. Thanks for sharing.
climbnowworklater	Thanks for posting. 11/9/2015 6:45am This story resonates with me do to the timing of the incident and Justin. I happened to do Capitol in Aug. 2014. Then I did the Bells Traverse with Justin in Sept. 2014. To have been on Cap a month before hanging out with Justin only to have this incident one month later was very unsettling. So thankful both of you are all right. I talked to him for a bit afterwards and hope he’s doing well. Glad to see you are able to process this and move forward.
Lville	What a captivating ... 11/9/2015 8:50am ... and well–written account. So happy that it had a relatively happy ending and everyone including Justin seems to be OK. Sounds like some bad luck mixed in w/ some incredibly good fortune!
Jay521	Amazing. Simply amazing. 11/9/2015 11:30am I can’t find any other words...
AnnaG22	Rocks and Luck 11/9/2015 1:36pm awilbur77– the first picture from my ascent from September 2014 (showing Justin and katbiette), while the one on the right is from September 2015, showing BenfromtheEast (dillonsarnelli was kind enough to let me use it). I looked at several different angles of K2, and in some pictures from below (on the class 2 boulder field) it’s difficult to tell that the area has changed at all, which is mind–bending for me to consider. I think most of the rock that moved is directly under Justin and then below on the left of the first picture. When my boyfriend noticed the crack in the first picture (outlined in blue in both photos), it was quite disconcerting. To those mentioning luck, I agree. As I wrote, I feel that many factors came together for Justin’s survival. That said, I am somewhat spiritual. I feel very blessed that I was somehow untouched by the rockfall, and that Justin was only hit by one or two rocks– had the rock that shattered his arm impacted a different part of his body, the outcome likely would have been different. He is an incredible person; his recovery moved faster than the doctor’s predicted timeline.
greenonion	Thank you 11/9/2015 5:06pm Anna – thanks for sharing this. I remember this happening last year and wondered the outcome and details. Justin – So glad you seem to be recovering, and so sorry you had to experience this. You sound like one heck of a great guy.
Monster5	Wow 11/9/2015 8:25pm 1. I’m glad Justin is still kicking. 2. You are a captivating writer. 3. Your summary and conclusions were nicely stated.
DanielL	Wow! 11/10/2015 7:49am As others have said, excellent write–up and a scary read. I was one of the two climbers that exchanged pictures with Ted on the knife edge. I remember hearing loud rockfall while hanging out at Capitol Lake, and then Ted confirmed that was Justin’s fall. I might have a picture of your group in my Capitol TR. Again, thanks for writing this up, and I’m glad everything ended well.
Stratosfearsome	Good Joss. 11/10/2015 8:55am Your piece is a valuable reminder for me that we are only visitors in these beautiful, alien places. Thank you for this.
AnnaG22	Yup 11/10/2015 9:04am I remember that we passed at least two people who were finishing up their 14er quest that day, and I remember that one was a young guy (which would have been you DanielL?) and there was also a middle-aged gentleman finishing up. Congratulations! Yes, that picture is of my group. :) Stratosfearsome– yeah, it definitely drove that point home for me. :shock: Hell of a reminder.
SoCool	To Analyze is to Learn 11/10/2015 10:57am For all the folks who say we should analyze accidents in order to learn, this is a must read.
bayouboy	Link? 8/8/2019 6:42pm Hey Anna, I know i'm late to this, but is the link still out there anywhere? It looks like the blood is down. Thanks Brian
AnnaG22	Link 8/9/2019 5:16pm I'll work on updating it. I'm making some changes to my blog, the links may be broken. here is the new link: When Rock Crumbles . I'll update it in the report too.
ylingli	Wow! 9/16/2022 6:11pm Thanks for sharing Anna!

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