Monday, June 20, 2005
I just about had a heart attack...
I was coming down from the summit of Torreys Peak (14, 267') on Saturday (18Jun05) and when I was just about to the low point on the saddle between Grays & Torreys (at about 13,700') a snowboarder, who was heading up, said "is that your partner up there" with a look of dismay. I said "no", and turned around for a big shock. I saw a climber standing on the edge of the ridge looking down at the bowl below. The problem was that from my angle I could see air underneath him because he was standing on a overhanging cornice but seemed to be unaware of it. We were too far a way to get his attention. But then he stepped away by at about 10 feet giving us a feeling of relief. But, I can't help thinking that the guy almost died and didn't know it. Just think, an overhanging cornice - June - 9o degrees down in Denver - warm weather even up a 13K, melting snow - geez. I just had to shake my head. There are so many climbers coming from around the country who come to test themselves in CO. Its one thing to be in shape enough to climb something hard but it's another to have enough experience to stay out of trouble. I guess I've done some dumb stuff myself.
I was coming down from the summit of Torreys Peak (14, 267') on Saturday (18Jun05) and when I was just about to the low point on the saddle between Grays & Torreys (at about 13,700') a snowboarder, who was heading up, said "is that your partner up there" with a look of dismay. I said "no", and turned around for a big shock. I saw a climber standing on the edge of the ridge looking down at the bowl below. The problem was that from my angle I could see air underneath him because he was standing on a overhanging cornice but seemed to be unaware of it. We were too far a way to get his attention. But then he stepped away by at about 10 feet giving us a feeling of relief. But, I can't help thinking that the guy almost died and didn't know it. Just think, an overhanging cornice - June - 9o degrees down in Denver - warm weather even up a 13K, melting snow - geez. I just had to shake my head. There are so many climbers coming from around the country who come to test themselves in CO. Its one thing to be in shape enough to climb something hard but it's another to have enough experience to stay out of trouble. I guess I've done some dumb stuff myself.
