Climber Rescued In Squamish After Getting Leg Stuck
From the west coast to the Bugaboos, there's a long history of climbers getting their legs stuck in B.C. climber
A climber got their leg stuck on St. Bernard on The Apron in Squamish and rescue crews used dish soap to free her let. St. Bernard is a new three-pitch 5.9 close to St. Vitus Dance with a few wide crack sections. Within 24 hours, Squamish rescue got four calls, including from hikers and a paddler.
The rescue took around five hours. “We were able to move a rope team in via helicopter and rappel down to her and with some dish soap and a lot of work we were able to free her leg,” said search manager BJ Chute. “It’s a first for us in a long time. It is an unusual thing.”
The rescue was called in at 10:30 a.m. Friday morning. “There’s always a risk of getting things stuck, and she was very, very stuck,” added search manager Tyler Duncan. “It took just brute strength and force and her grinning and bearing it and we were able to get her out.”
#BREAKING: @SquamishSAR has rescued a female climber in a remarkably technical rescue on the Stawamus Chief in #Squamish. Rescuers used dish soap to free her leg—which was wedged in a crack on a climb called The Apron. She’s been hospitalized. Full details to come on @GlobalBC. pic.twitter.com/po6jfyK8ow
— Sarah MacDonald (@smacdonald__) May 29, 2020
“Our team has gone from being not busy to being extremely busy,” said Chute. “It is unusual historically for us to do this many calls mid-week.” Rescue crews are appealing for people heading into the backcountry to ensure they are well prepared, and where possible, not to put themselves in dangerous situations.
“Anything you can do to avoid risk, at this time, and probably through the summer, we really need the public to take that extra caution.” In the Bugaboos, a number of rescues on the Kain route have taken place after climbers have gotten their leg stuck.
In the video below, top climber Jason Kruk requires assistance after getting his leg stuck on a climb called Boogie Till Ya Puke, which was renamed Boogie Till Ya Poop. Watch the video below to find out why.
Boogie Till Ya Poop