Calvin his trip report from the webboard

When Wietse asked me if I was going to post about my accident today I originally said no because I could not see how it would benefit anyone. After some thought I figured it may have some worth.

To start from the beginning, I went up Opal North and a bit beyond to a nearby nub with Wietse and his friend Aaron (spelling?) today and 95% of the trip was very enjoyable. The company was great, there was some fun sections to scramble, the sun was shining, and the views were fantastic.

When we were around 100 metres above the highway on descent I had an accident. We were on a slope that was a mix of slippery vegetation, slabs, loose rocks, and wet mud. I was on a faint trail when I slipped on some mud and on the way down I dislodged a large boulder. I estimate that it weighed well over 50 kilograms. With the momentum from my fall and the steepness of the slope I slid down about 3 or 4 metres in front of it. When the boulder caught up it smashed into my back, then rolled over both my hands that were on a smooth slab. My right middle finger blew apart, my finger nail was dangling, and you could see the bone on the entire last digit (it took 50 stitches to piece it back together and some of it may have to be amputated if the tissue dies). I have never seen so much blood on myself. My other middle finger also took a brutal hit which opened it up somewhat so I will be off work for quite some time.

I am glad to be alive and thankfully Wietse and Aaron were on either side of me and not in the path of the speeding boulder. I am also thankful to Aaron For his great first-aid and driving me to the hospital. Also I really appreciated Wietse's patience on my slow final descent after the accident. Both guys were very understanding. Thanks for all your help today! Anyway I guess that I am writing this to tell everyone that bad things can happen on any part of a mountain not just the scrambling sections. Dangerous situations can even be present close to the road. I have quite frequently got scrapes and bruises only minutes away from the vehicle at the end of the day, but this is my most severe injury from time spent in the mountains.

Cal