RRC Archives

Natasha, who works at Muir Valley, informed us today that Liz Weber broke her leg Saturday morning while in Muir.

I know she is in Lexington at a hospital, but I do not know which one for sure.

Any more info from those in the know would be appreciated.

Kipp

Rick and Liz are such wonderful people and it is a tragedy that this has happend. I hope she is okay and recovers from this. I'm sure she will be in the thoughts and prayers of everyone in the climbing community.

Michael

This sucks. Sorry it happened.

Oh, no! That's awful news. I hope she heals up quickly and completely.

So sorry to hear about this. Liz seems like a tough little lady though so I'm sure she'll bounce right back!

Thought I'd better post the facts before this goes off into rumorland. Liz was hiking - not climbing - and simply stepped down and shattered the tib/fib. (Stuff happens when you get to this age.) Several of the climbers in the vicinity had medical training and helped with first aid. In less than 30 minutes, we had her splinted, in the MV Stokes litter, and carried down from the Great Wall to the emergency road , where an ambulance was waiting. They took her 5 miles to an awaiting helo at Pine Ridge and from there to UK Med. Less than an hour from the accident, she was being prepping for surgery. They put her back together with a big ol' rod and some misc. hardware, and, all things considered, she's in good cond.

Not our choice, of course, but this was a good test of the emerg. plan. Thanks to Mark Ryan's donated Stokes litter, a bunch of super volunteers, and KY's medical folks, it couldn't have worked better or faster. If you have an accident here, follow the posted Emergency Plan - it works!

Timing couldn't have been worse. Liz was going to represent Indiana in the National Senior Games in two weeks in the 1500 meter racewalk. Her training was going great and her times were very competitive.

And the real kicker -- we had a surprise party planned for that evening with 24 guests for our 40th anniversary. (She still doesn't know.) It would have been stupid to waste all the food, so I turned the keys over to Carol, Reese, and Natasha, and I hear they pulled off a nice party. Only three people missing, who were off checking out the ER nightlife at UK Med.

To all those who helped at the scene, including the volunteer litter teams and med techs, our heartfelt thanks!

Rick

i'm sooooo glad that you took the time to put into place an emergency plan. i just wish Liz would have thought of a less painful way of testing it!!! i'm sure she will be ready for her next contest in no time. thanks for all you do - my thoughts are with you in this.

Oh Rick, that's so sad about the party. 40th anniversary is a big one. For what it's worth, Happy Anniversary.

Liz is tough and I'm sure she'll be okay. I wish her a speedy recovery.

Michelle

Sorry about your leg Liz, hope you heal quickly. Congrats on your 40th, and thanks for all you and Rick do to make the Gorge region a better place.

We lady climbers are strong. Glad to hear that Liz is doing well, though very sorry to hear that it happened. Happy 40th to the both of you, too!

~Karley~