Moonlit mountain climb ends in daring rescue

[Cy Kaicener]

A moonlight mountain climb ends in a daring rescue on Mt Baker
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/stor ... a6df9db5b6

[Rob]

Cy, thanks for posting. This climber learned that to self-arrest with an ice axe, the ice axe works better in your hands rather than strapped to your backpack.

[Rick M]

From the article Cy references:
"...As he fell, he couldn't slow himself down because his axe was strapped to his backpack and unreachable..."
In almost 40 years on the snow/ice, I've seen friends & people do this all the time and get away with it only because they didn't slip. Often, it's not a pretty picture for those that do.

[Hikin_Jim]

Hi, Rick,

Long time no see. Good to see you on the forum again.

HJ

[Rick M]

Hi HJ,
Been really busy on one of the rocket projects I'm involved with (out of town and little sleep). We scrubbed this weekend's motor test for a month because of cracked fuel grains so I have a week or so (hopefully) of R&R and be available for SAR missions as I've been AWOL from RMRU for a month or so. I did stop off on my way back from delivering our nozzle for refurbishing to Santa Clarita to do some day hiking on the PCT. That was nice and the fall colors were quite striking. Bad news is I've now taken on the added responsibility of our propellant R&D and the casting of the grains (I start tomorrow) using titanium tubes.

Not that we have snow and ice now but I thought the season is on the way and hope that people go safe when on the snow and ice that will be coming.

[Hikin_Jim]

I've now taken on the added responsibility of our propellant R&D and the casting of the grains (I start tomorrow) using titanium tubes.

Stay safe, Rick!!

BTW, I hope you're right that things will be quiet for the RMRU this season.

take care,

HJ

[Cy Kaicener]

Rick - Its good to hear from you again.
Check out http://hikerhell.blogspot.com

[Rick M]

Hi Cy, I've looked at that site a few times. Several years ago I ran a similar text only site that focused on what went wrong in back country SAR missions people had been on. This was based on the yearly "Accidents in North American Mountaineering" published by the American Alpine Club that I happen to be in two of the issues (as a rescuer). I've always hoped that the more people read about mishaps the less likely they may be to repeat those mistakes.

[Hikin_Jim]

And I always like reading the analysis, taking notes the whole time. That's one great thing about Accidents in N American Mtneering, that it has analysis.