Dynamite Shack Ice Climber Severely Injured in100’ Vertical Plunge
A male ice climber in his 50s was critically injured Saturday afternoon, January 24, after falling approximately 100’ at the Dynamite Shack portion of ice climbing wall on Henson Creek.The injured man, who has been identified as Vratislav, a resident of Canada, was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction by CareFlight of the Rockies helicopter ambulance with injuries which are described as traumatic, complex and life-threatening.As an indication of the severity of the man’s injuries, responders to the scene following the 3:21 p.m. emergency page were Hinsdale County Emergency Medical Service — EMT Danny Oge, EMT student and driver Lorie Stewart, EMT Katherine Heidt, AEMT Dan Humphreys, and EMT Sarah Moody, together with support from Gunnison Valley Paramedics who were called in based on critical care mutual aid. Also responding to the scene were Lake City firefighters with Lake City Fire/Rescue, Hinsdale County Search and Rescue, and Hinsdale County Sheriff Denim Starnes.Among those first on the scene at the base of the ice wall and after crossing open-flowing Henson Creek were Sheriff Starnes and Fire Chief Justin Thompson, the latter joined within moments by Chief Engineer R.E. Hall and firefighters Evan Milski, Mike Ralph, Nathan Wuest, and Matt
