Gravity: one, Mark: nil

That is horrible news Mark. Here's to a speedy and pain free recovery. Having taken one of those 3 foot falls I can sympathize with the damage that can occur, just ask my shoulder. I would selfishly suggest that you forsake reading any non-fiction books during your convalescence and concentrate entirely on solving a few of the bigger problems that we face in industry , namely:

developing a perfect pair of climbing gloves

developing a throw line that NEVER tangles

fine tuning the Russianhawthapplepinthorn cross breeding
program for making the perfect all around tree to climb

figuring out the perfect response to "the tree is too tall,
can't you just take it down about 25' so that it won't fall
on my house."

Any insight you can give us on these pressing issues would be greatly appreciated and should eat up a little time for you.

Get well soon.


ps if you are determined to read I would recommend Umberto Eco.
 
I am sorry your hurt, but I plan on taking full advantage by "picking" your brain as much as possible during your "down" time : )
When industry front runners, such as yourself, get hurt and openly share with the rest of us, it reiterates the importance of taking our careers seriously and not cutting corners for the matter of saving time. The weird part is you did test it. I'm calling this one a fluke accident. In no way am I suggesting you were cutting corners either. I'm actually just thanking you (and everyone else) for posting on this thread. I've climbed (ascended) many a time on a little sucker just above my target TIP. I don't think I will so much now. Get better.
 
Hey Mark,

Heard about your your fall yesterday from a German tree climber while at work, phones must of been ringing all round Europe me thinks within the community here.

Get well soon and rest well also.

Scotty

Leaving Freelance for good, of to search for black gold.
 
Mark, you say you bounce tested the line and then sent up a butterfly. Is it possible that somehow, with the way the knot was situated, you created mechanical advantage?! Just a thought...
 
TLH,

yes, I'd have to agree, that is probably one of the factors.

The reason I did it that way round was that the installation of the butterfly was an afterthought. And indeed I should have tested the line configured... but in my mental checklist I'd already ticked the "bounce on line" box. More fool me.

In the not-quite-cinched up config you will indeed start to clock up some MA.

Small factors that cumulated in partial failure - i.e. slipping - of the system. And me hitting the deck.


OTGBoston,

there's a whole suite of painkillers out there just waiting to be discovered... could form a habit, mind you.
 
This morning I was talking with a friend who is considering competing in a TCC. We talked about the speed climb and I thought of how the setup relates to Mark's accident.

When the climber in the SC starts there is always some slack in the rope. Generally the belayer will give a loose belay so that the climber isn't pulled up the tree or off the route. Add the slack to whatever stretch there is in the climbing rope and the climber could take a grounder and only be a few feet off the ground like Mark.

Rock climbers have known this for years and try to make the first couple of anchors close together at the beginning of a pitch. Reducing the fall factor is important.

Reducing pain reduces healing time...to a certain limit :)
 
[ QUOTE ]
"Mate, what you need is a can of f***ing harden up!".

Of what... testosterone?!

[/ QUOTE ]

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Mmmmmm, Just opened one myself and lets drink to a swift recovery Mark. Cheers
grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
TLH,


OTGBoston,

there's a whole suite of painkillers out there just waiting to be discovered... could form a habit, mind you.

[/ QUOTE ]


The dickens you say!

Of course they can, but under a Doctors supervision, different story.........

The Pink Floyd collection will have a whole new meaning, If you are in to that sort of thing.

Maybe while you are rehabbing you can come up with another innovation or two......(love that hitchclimber!)

Seriously, I hope you recover to 100% and thanks for sharing your accident with us.
 
Hey, Mark

I hear where you're coming from, man, and feel for you. Went up the rope under the same conditions, more than once. Who hasn't? And what the heck, you get the prize bounce. Really sorry to hear, but it's comes with the territory no matter how safe you try to be. Bottome line is, I glad to hear it wasn't worse.
 
Were you foot looking? Or how were you acending? If you hit the ground in footlocking position, i can see that your legs would be in a very vulnerable position. Enjoy you vacation.
 
Mark,

If anyone could do it, I'm sure it would be you. On another note, I sure had a great time with you and Chris at TCI. Just remember, "don't make eye contact". I laugh everytime I think about that.

Take care!

Mike
 
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