RMRU Member Injured
June 18, 2024
Tahquitz Rock, Idyllwild
2024-023
Written by Robert Newton
On June 18, 2024, Donny, Tyler, and I headed to Tahquitz to climb White Maidens Walkway. As always, we traveled light, bringing minimal gear for a fast ascent. It was a perfect day for climbing and was shaping up to be one of the nicest days I have ever had on Tahquitz.
Upon completing the climb, after a brief summit celebration, we descended via the Friction
Descent. Tyler and I had stashed some gear on the other side of Tahquitz so planned to hike
up and over to grab our stuff and meet Donny at Humber Park to refuel before the drive home. Unfortunately, after only several steps onto the trail, my ankle spontaneously buckled, making an audible pop.
After an initial sharp pain, my ankle and foot went completely numb. Within seconds, my ankle had a baseball sized lump on the lateral side. Tyler checked my CMS and we decided to pull light traction – doing so brought some feeling back to my foot. Now suspecting a fracture, we were in a bit of a pickle, so we sat for a few minutes to look at our options – we could either self- extract or call for rescue. It was getting close to sunset, we did not have any medical supplies and had over 1000 feet to descend.
I do not have much feeling in that foot to begin with due to nerve damage suffered in a previous climbing injury, so I was willing to try and walk out since everything was numb. After hobbling a few meters, however, it was obvious a self-extraction would turn into an all-night affair. To avoid risking further damage and pulling said all-nighter, we ultimately decided to do the unthinkable – call for rescue.
The thought of calling for a rescue severely damaged my ego, but it was undoubtedly the
safer/smarter thing to do, so I swallowed my pride while Donny called 911 and Tyler touched base with RMRU. Soon Rescue 9 was heading our way and we sat back to watch a beautiful sunset while listening to music and laughing at the absurdness of the situation.
Within 20 minutes or so, we could hear Rescue 9 approaching. Corry was lowered down and after promising to blur my face out when he posted his GoPro footage on Instagram, he splinted my lower leg and hoisted me via 2-UP. I was flown to the Hemet Station where EMS awaited my arrival and was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by several fellow RMRU teammates once I was taken off the helicopter.
Upon arrival, Ryan examined my ankle and after pulling some more traction, re-splinted me with the help of Andy, Michael, and Solan (sorry if I am forgetting anyone who was pulling on my leg). Coby then drove me as Ray led the way back towards Humber Park to find Donny and Tyler and to get my vehicle. Finally, after an eventful evening, we made our way home and the mission was officially a 90. The next day I went to get x-rays and was diagnosed with a fibula, tibia, and 5th metatarsal fracture, reinforcing that we made the correct decision.
Even SAR members get injured and sometimes it is better to swallow your pride and ask for help. I would like to sincerely thank all of RMRU for responding with such a force to come to my aid. You are amazing teammates and although I hope I never have to return the favor, you know I will be there if one of you is ever injured. I would also like to thank Aviation for their quick response and safely hoisting me out of a less-than-ideal hoisting zone – you all are a talented crew. And of course, thank you to Donny and Tyler, who I blame entirely for the whole situation. Just kidding – you guys are rock stars, and I would not want to be injured on a rock with anyone else.
RMRU Members Involved: (Trygve Anderson, Coby Brown, Colby Coryell, Donny Goetz, Andy Hayt, Eric Holden, Geoffery Marshall, Shani McCulough, Tobias Moyneur, Rob Newton, Rayn Roleson, Michael Solares, Solan Watts, Ray Weden, and Richard Yocum)