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Climber Severely Injured at Smoke Bluffs, Donate to Support Crowdfund

Alberta climber Josh Pelland was recently injured while climbing at the Smoke Bluffs in Squamish. Details are not clear, but Pelland fell about 20 metres walking off a crag. His friend Brandon MacMullin wrote on his social media, “Although a miracle he survived, Josh has had heart surgery, orthopedic surgery, two surgeries on his legs and will likely be paralyzed from the waist down.”

BC Ambulance Service removed the climber and airlifted him to Vancouver General Hospital, according to police. The man’s family was contacted and has travelled from out of province to the hospital, police said. Pelland’s family and friends have organized a a crowdfund campaign on Tilt to help with the costs. Visit here to donate and for more info.

Another climbing accident was reported on the Squamish Climbing Facebook page. It cited an accident at the Top Shelf crag. The climber was being lowered and the rope went through the belay device. He suffered a number of broken bones and was airlifted out. Another great job by local search and rescue and a reminder to tie knots in the end of your ropes.

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