that hasn't been said already. I'm so sorry you had to witness that. I can't even imagine what was going through your mind! You wrote it very well. Very respectful to the person who died and their family.
Hope your mentally back, man. Seeing the " objective hazard" first hand is one thing, but being unable to provide assistance is another. I will say a prayer for the fallen and you and Shirely for a quick recovery.
Sorry you went through that. Sorry it happened at all.
I've been haunted by bodies I've handled on rare occasions on mountain rescue missions. It goes away slowly, but never completely. I want it that way. If it didn't affect me, I'd be less human. Take some solace in the knowledge that its affect on you shows you're healthy.
I work and live in Zion and this was a horribly sad day around here. It had been about 2 years since somebody fell from there and I heard an eyewitness account from a guy who consoled (SP?) the family after she fell and even his brief account haunts me. I'd love to see some protection on that scary spot. People here were starting to think (maybe hope is a better word) that these falls from Angel's Landing were a thing of the past. They used to be more frequent. I'm sorry you had to see it. I've been here since November 2, 08 and there have been 3 fatalities in that time. It's a wonderful place to live but these incidents make it just a little bittersweet. Peace...
I'm sure sorry man. I lived in St. George as a kid, Remember the Motel well... Know the Zion area well too... I never went to Angel's Landing though. My heart aches for you and for the family. From a personal experiance of my own, you never get over the experiance... You just get use to it haunting you. In time... My thoughts and prayers are with you. Deep regards, Trav
saw that title, & immediately knew it was yours- you have a particular prose :)
That really sucks. Even minor negative experiences on trips/climbs can affect me greatly, & define my memories associated with them. That will obviously stick with you, & that's a real shame. I dread witnessing something terrible like that, especially during a time that was intended to be a source of fun & enjoyment.
The obvious tragedy lies with the victim's family for sure. What a terrible thing that happened... My thoughts & condolences go out to them.
While it seems (at least on the surface) logical, just remember that there was nothing you guys could have done. That you descended & tried to offer what assistance you could actually is very telling- as demonstrated on numerous occasions on (just as an example) Everest, there are too many people out there that view their own quests/achievements as being more important than lending help to those in need.
imontop - Aug 31, 2009 11:41 pm - Voted 10/10
Don't know what else to saythat hasn't been said already. I'm so sorry you had to witness that. I can't even imagine what was going through your mind! You wrote it very well. Very respectful to the person who died and their family.
rpc - Sep 2, 2009 12:58 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Don't know what else to sayAppreciate the good word, thanks.
Joe White - Sep 1, 2009 12:39 am - Voted 10/10
Thanks for sharing...prayers are with you and Shirley and the family who lost a relative.
rpc - Sep 2, 2009 12:59 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Thanks for sharing...Thanks Joe - we're clearly not in the same boat as the family who lost a loved one. Take care.
Andinistaloco - Sep 1, 2009 3:13 am - Hasn't voted
Damn.Seems like if we climb enough, something like this happens sooner or later. Glad you folks came out of it okay.
rpc - Sep 2, 2009 1:00 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Damn.I guess you're right & thanks!
rpc - Sep 2, 2009 1:01 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: I am sorryThanks Tazz - we're alright, our best goes out to that family.
kpthomson - Sep 1, 2009 10:47 am - Hasn't voted
OMG!Hope your mentally back, man. Seeing the " objective hazard" first hand is one thing, but being unable to provide assistance is another. I will say a prayer for the fallen and you and Shirely for a quick recovery.
rpc - Sep 2, 2009 1:02 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: OMG!Thank you KP.
Eric Sandbo - Sep 1, 2009 3:09 pm - Voted 10/10
Damn.Sorry you went through that. Sorry it happened at all.
I've been haunted by bodies I've handled on rare occasions on mountain rescue missions. It goes away slowly, but never completely. I want it that way. If it didn't affect me, I'd be less human. Take some solace in the knowledge that its affect on you shows you're healthy.
rpc - Sep 2, 2009 1:02 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Damn.I understand & thanks Eric.
Liba Kopeckova - Sep 2, 2009 11:54 am - Voted 10/10
unbelievable...It sounds crazy, a person flying past you...I hope that you will recover soon....thanks for sharing.
BTW Radek is a common Czech name. Do you have some Czech heritage?
rpc - Sep 2, 2009 1:03 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: unbelievable...Thanks Liba. My heritage is Polish --- but then again the knowledge of my family tree only goes so far (& it's a small neighborhood there :)
J to the G - Sep 2, 2009 8:36 pm - Hasn't voted
Great articleI work and live in Zion and this was a horribly sad day around here. It had been about 2 years since somebody fell from there and I heard an eyewitness account from a guy who consoled (SP?) the family after she fell and even his brief account haunts me. I'd love to see some protection on that scary spot. People here were starting to think (maybe hope is a better word) that these falls from Angel's Landing were a thing of the past. They used to be more frequent. I'm sorry you had to see it. I've been here since November 2, 08 and there have been 3 fatalities in that time. It's a wonderful place to live but these incidents make it just a little bittersweet. Peace...
rpc - Sep 28, 2009 11:52 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Great articlethanks.
RalphSnart - Sep 3, 2009 10:26 am - Hasn't voted
ZionI'm sure sorry man. I lived in St. George as a kid, Remember the Motel well... Know the Zion area well too... I never went to Angel's Landing though. My heart aches for you and for the family. From a personal experiance of my own, you never get over the experiance... You just get use to it haunting you. In time... My thoughts and prayers are with you. Deep regards, Trav
rpc - Sep 28, 2009 11:51 am - Hasn't voted
Re: ZionYeah, I can see that. thanks Trav.
Diggler - Sep 3, 2009 1:53 pm - Hasn't voted
whoa...Hey Radek,
saw that title, & immediately knew it was yours- you have a particular prose :)
That really sucks. Even minor negative experiences on trips/climbs can affect me greatly, & define my memories associated with them. That will obviously stick with you, & that's a real shame. I dread witnessing something terrible like that, especially during a time that was intended to be a source of fun & enjoyment.
The obvious tragedy lies with the victim's family for sure. What a terrible thing that happened... My thoughts & condolences go out to them.
While it seems (at least on the surface) logical, just remember that there was nothing you guys could have done. That you descended & tried to offer what assistance you could actually is very telling- as demonstrated on numerous occasions on (just as an example) Everest, there are too many people out there that view their own quests/achievements as being more important than lending help to those in need.
rpc - Sep 28, 2009 11:51 am - Hasn't voted
Re: whoa...sorry Dirk - missed your comment before. thanks man.
rpc - Sep 28, 2009 11:50 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Sorryno I have not read it. Thanks Borut.