Looking for a Michigan climber who decked

[MattD]

Three years ago, a few of my friends and I watched a guy deck at Torrent. One of my buddies had some first responder training was able to provide some help. I later heard that the guy survived without permanent injury.

Though it didn't personally affect me, I still think about that day from time to time and have an sporadically reoccurring dream about him falling. Today, I realized it happened three years ago this week.

Whenever I remember it, it gets me thinking about the close calls I've had and how things might be different if I hadn't been lucky.

I'm writing a short article about how that day altered my perception of climbing and how I've seen the sport since. However, the more I write about my perspective, the more I want to know his.

So, if anyone has any ideas for contacting this guy -- or if he would even want to be contacted -- please let me know.

I don't know his name, or any of his friends names; all I know is that the accident occurred on Sept. 5, 2004 and the climber was there with a group from Michigan -- Detroit, I think.

Thanks,

--md

[steep4me]

I was there that day too. We climbed at the 11 wall next to him and his friends for several hours. We moved on down the trail and we heard him deck and all of the screaming etc... from the ten wall on the other side of Torrent (the new ten wall, not the poopie climbs). That guy was super nice and a strong climber. Sorry I do not know his name, but I know that he used to climb regularly at one of the gyms in Michigan. If I were trying to contact him, I guess I would start calling the gyms in Michigan and see if anyone knows him. That was a big accident, so his gym mates probably know about it. At my gym in Atlanta, news travels fast when someone falls and gets injured.

[gus]

The climbers name was John. He did survive and recover for his fall. Both John and Laura (belayer) were a joy to climb with, and look forward to seeing either of them soon. Not sure if he would be interested in being contacted, but I am not him and cannot awnser that question. I will see if I can contact him or forward the forum.