Help!
Just took a big fall. Maybe a broken rib. Waiting for helicopter rescue.
If previous days were challenging, as they most certainly were, today began in a similar vein with a 3am wake up followed by four hours of climbing on the loosest garbage that might call itself “rock.” Then, when it seemed like the best climbing of the day, a 2-metre-long block of rock pulled out as i pulled up. The rock and I fell together, with me bouncing upside down as the rock shattered around and on me.
After 15-20 metres, the rope caught my fall and the rock kept going for another 1000 meters. At first I thought I was okay, but then my ribs hurt and I could not stand on my feet. We called for a helicopter rescue, as we were at 3,500 metres and a rappel descent looked impossibly dangerous because it was all horrible rock and terribly loose snow. The Valais mountain rescue sprang into action, and within an hour the helicopter dropped off two rescue guides by long cable. They climbed up to me and prepared me for the flight to the hospital.
Then it was my turn to be lifted by cable. Soon I was in the hospital at Sion, where they took great care of me. It turns out that my ribs are just bruised, but my feet are broken. Four bones in my left foot, and one more serious one in my right foot. For the next six weeks I must wear these amazing cast/boots and use crutches. Then six weeks of gentle walking.
My current plan is to return home in a few days, then come back to Switzerland in September to paddle the Rhine and Lake Constance, and to walk around Schaffhausen and along the Jura. Then next summer I can continue hiking the south border, though I will probably stick to trails and safer mountains. Updates soon, including videos of the rescue, which are on different cameras.
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