SLIP ON SNOW-INVOLUNTARY GLISSADE, INADEQUATE EQUIPMENT, NO HARD HAT, INEXPERIENCE

Colorado, Hagues Peak

On March 16, 1982, six members of Explorer Post #104 went into the Lawn Lake area (about 5½ miles from the trail head) to camp and hike in the Mummy Range. About 1000, Stephen Anderson (18) and Stephan Knust (17) began to ascend Hagues Peak, reaching the summit around 1230. About 1500, while descending, both Anderson and Knust lost their footing on the hard snow crust and slid, uncontrolled, down the snow field. Knust slid about 30 meters and Anderson about 100 meters; both were stopped by soft snow and protruding rocks. Anderson suffered a 5 cm laceration on the top of his head, was generally bruised and lost his eyeglasses (vision-correction dependent). Knust suffered only general bruising. Assisting each other, both returned to their snow cave near Lawn Lake. One Explorer Scout remained in the snow cave with Anderson, while Knust and the three others returned to the trail head to report the incident about 1900.

The report indicated that Anderson was stable enough to spend the night without further assistance. A helicopter (St. Anthony’s Flight for Life) operation was scheduled; the operation went as planned and Anderson was in the hospital by 0637 on March 18. (Source: Charlie Logan, Rocky Mountain National Park)