Sam Merrill/Sunset/El Prieto

[airgabe]

Mike you could of called me after leaving you guys at mt. lowe.I was at my car by 11:45. I stopped and guided, at Sunset and meet up with 3 newbies who were about to do Sunset for the first time. They had read your post Pain Freak on STR although the have not registered. Rygel, Chris and Kim survived and the made it back to JPL. I hope Daniel heals quickly and keep us posted.

[JoeTruth]

That sucks! That's what I'm talking about when I said "not an easy ride". Although the climbs are not as tame as you make it sound, Mike, I do understand what you're saying. The biggest factor always seems to be the exposure and for new riders to the these trails, the lack of awareness and sometimes respect for them. I hope he's okay and his injuries are not long term. I can relate.
I'm still unclear to where this took place. I'm assuming on middle Merrill; just not sure where about.

In hindsight, I wonder moving him with a back injury was a good idea. It's all about stabilizing the injured and with neck or back injuries, the slightest wrong move could send the injured party into paralysis. Saying that, good work to all you guys who were there and helping, in one form or another. It's never a pleasant experience to witness a rider get hurt; especially when it's serious.
The support system rocked!

[Rossage]

The fall took place on Middle Merrill, about halfway down from Inspiration Point, on an exposed, tight, right-hand turn that leads into a left hand switchback. The turn is all rock, somewhat slippery and it comes up really fast.
Re: Hindsight
If you saw where Daniel landed, there would be no question that he needed, and asked to be moved.

[Pain Freak]

Yep, the decision to move was Daniels, even though most of us questioned it.

[Hanzo]

Great Job to all that helped Daniel until the helicopter arrived. Healing vibes sent his way.

[JoeTruth]

Originally Posted by Rossage

The fall took place on Middle Merrill, about halfway down from Inspiration Point, on an exposed, tight, right-hand turn that leads into a left hand switchback. The turn is all rock, somewhat slippery and it comes up really fast.
Re: Hindsight
If you saw where Daniel landed, there would be no question that he needed, and asked to be moved.

Not questioning the move was bad at all. Speaking for myself, I know I'd be weary moving someone with such significant injuries. I know it was with his request but as you all mentioned, he was unconscious and very cloudy. I wouldn't have exactly considered him the best candidate to evaluate his condition.
Aside from all that, I would be concerned for legal ramification if he were to sustain (God forbid) any long-term spinal cord injuries. Sadly, in our sue happy society, it happens far too often where good samaritans who put themselves in danger while rescuing perfect strangers are rewarded with a law suit.

Be careful out there, guys! Riding on such trails are not a Six Flags ride with seat belts and kill switches. Ride (or walk) in order to ride another day.

[Rossage]

You would leave your buddy clinging to a bush on the side of a cliff to call your lawyer?
We did what we had to do-we had no time for second guessing.

[dirtmistress]

That is so awful. I had a feeling something happened when I didn't see any posts last night. He's in for a long recovery. Does he have an STR screen name?
I agree with Joe about moving him but we all do what we think is right at the time and perhaps being there I would have agreed to let him walk also. Those chopper guys are pretty good at rescueing from funky places though.
I had a freind fall off Sunset trail years ago. 90 feet and she broke both her legs. That is a nasty area and anything can happen at any time.
I'm so sorry you guys had to go through that!
Mike and everyone, please keep us posted on this poor guy.
My heart goes out to him!
EDIT: My fear would be allowing him to walk and sustaining more damage.
Not pulling him out of the bushes and the side of the cliff.
You guys did the right thing getting him up to the trail. His loss of color could indicate shock setting in.

[Rossage]

Sorry for my mini rant. Lets put the focus back where it belongs-back on hoping for a speedy recovery for Daniel.

[Sewellymon]

prayers for Daniel's speedy recovery.

and yea- we all play a dangerous game, these front range trails can have serious - to - lethal exposure.

kudos to you guys for getting help quick and giving him the aid he needed.

[dirtmistress]

You toppled 90 feet off Strawberry didn't you? How'd you get out?
My friend that broke her legs falling off Sunset was choppered out and last week-end, another friend broke is leg in two places on Sazar-Gridley and was choppered out.
He said the copter guys put him in a harness and said " adjust your nuts" and swooped him up to the chopper.

[Pain Freak]

One of the guys on this ride was also with Greg on that ride???

I knew something was wrong when we started.... the head count with 13.

[JoeTruth]

Originally Posted by Rossage

You would leave your buddy clinging to a bush on the side of a cliff to call your lawyer?
We did what we had to do-we had no time for second guessing.

To Reiterate: I am NOT condemning what anyone did yesterday and I realize everyone's intentions were nothing but good. I think you missed the gist of what I was trying to say so let's just forget about it and yes, let's re-focus on Daniel and his recovery.

Who is Daniel and does anyone know him here?

[Gabriel Zink]

S#it yeah, Daniel was about 200 yards behind me and then bike breaking noises and human screaming and breaking brush. He fell from 30 feet above on a upper switchback and I saw his bike go ten feet over my head. I didn't see the body until I realized it was twenty feet below me. A bush the size of my arm had broken his fall. He was out of it with rocks and brush underneeth and on top of him. It was pretty scarry watching somone fall that far.

Good luck on the recovery.

[dirtmistress]

Originally Posted by Gabriel Zink

S#it yeah, Daniel was about 200 yards behind me and then bike breaking noises and human screaming and breaking brush. He fell from 30 feet above on a upper switchback and I saw his bike go ten feet over my head. I didn't see the body until I realized it was twenty feet below me. A bush the size of my arm had broken his fall. He was out of it with rocks and brush underneeth and on top of him. It was pretty scarry watching somone fall that far.

Good luck on the recovery.

Man! That just wigs me out!!

[airgabe]

I hope he recovers soon.....

[Piranha]

Wondered what the chopper was for. I was over at the Sunset trailhead when it came into the canyon.

Get well soon!!!!

[CupLess]

FYI ....

I called Dan this morning....

As of this morning he was still in the hospital and was not sure when he would be released...

In any case he was in great spirits and sounded great over the phone.
He was in the middle of an ice bath doped up on pain killers

He is looking forward to getting out, but he is still waiting to hear from the Doc regarding the head trauma.

All in all... it doesn't sound real serious... the broken bones appear to have stayed in place, so there was no need to reset them and are expected heal cleanly (6-8 weeks!!)

Hopefully no serious conditions appear from the head injuries.

Actually, one of his concerns... like most us... was the condition of his bike!!!

Santa Cruz Bullit - told him... It is in better shape than he is
The rear swing arm where the pivot is at, broke. Took it apart this morning and hopefully Santa Cruz will replace it at no cost.

That appears to be the extent of the injuries to the bike!

FYI - i don't think Dan has a handle... Still hope he heals quick!!!

[Rossage]

I hope he gets out of the hospital soon. I'm glad to hear he's doing alright. His bike was almost as scratched up as he was!