Back on the Rock after near death fall @ Sand Rock Alabama 2009

by Joseph Rodriguez
(Irvington Al,)

I was making my forth lead climb on "Misty" (5-10CD) @ Sand Rock on Look-out Mountain in Alabama on Sept 13th 2009. On my previous climb I had almost made a "red point" and was hoping to "red point" on this attempt.

I was in reach of the third bolt and somehow did not clip in before continuing up the route. My Belayer (Tyler Daniels w/ T.A.S. outfitters) said "hey man you did not clip" .. at that time the bolt was below my knees and I was on some real crimpy stuff.. I managed to hang the draw and pull a bit of slack.. I then fell with enough excess slack to crash on a hugh rock 20' below which sat about 5' off the climbing route on the ground and was about 9' tall.

I was helicoptered off the mountain to emergency surgery for a Liver bleed. Afterwards I had surgery on my face (broken eye socket, nose, cheek, and teeth). I then had surgery on my left "Heel" which was shattered. I now have titanium hoding my eye socket back in place and 9 screws in my heel. I have been back climbing for 3-4 months now..

Thank God I'm O.K.