JanG - May 24, 2018 6:13 pm Date Climbed: Jul 10, 2011
Compression fracture on descent from summit
Started from Refuge du Courvecle at 4.40 AM in the company of my son Christoph and Eric, local guide from Chamonix. For me it was a very challenging arete, particularly the vertical wall close to the summit (Eric had to aid assist me with a sling). Nevertheless we succeeded! For the descent Eric suggested the PD normal route which included rappels at the end. The cam which held my rappel rope disloged and I took a 7-8 meter free fall (landed on my butt).
Fortunately I did not sustain a head injury and my backpack softened the impact at the juncture of rock and snow. I was able to downclimb to the refuge and train but a subsequent xray disclosed a compression fracture at the 12th thoracic vertebra.
To summarize, a very tough rock climb followed by injury!
JanG - May 24, 2018 6:13 pm Date Climbed: Jul 10, 2011
Compression fracture on descent from summitStarted from Refuge du Courvecle at 4.40 AM in the company of my son Christoph and Eric, local guide from Chamonix. For me it was a very challenging arete, particularly the vertical wall close to the summit (Eric had to aid assist me with a sling). Nevertheless we succeeded! For the descent Eric suggested the PD normal route which included rappels at the end. The cam which held my rappel rope disloged and I took a 7-8 meter free fall (landed on my butt).
Fortunately I did not sustain a head injury and my backpack softened the impact at the juncture of rock and snow. I was able to downclimb to the refuge and train but a subsequent xray disclosed a compression fracture at the 12th thoracic vertebra.
To summarize, a very tough rock climb followed by injury!