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Show Wasatch able - it was the nightmare from which I could not Canyon Reporter, April - Mid-May As the longest night of Marta’s and my life finally began to relent to daylight, two members of the group could hold no weight except when I dragged it and pivoted on the heel with small steps (I did not yet know that my kneecap had been split in half by the falling rock). My little dip in the stream rendered my down all who visit the magnificent plane for the trip to the University Hospital in Salt . Lake City where I joined her later that night. Were it not for the competent actions of the National Outdoor Leadership School and Life deserts of Utah is to have health insurance - and as run-. over onto my back into about four inches of water. I figured that my tendon snow, dark, wind, and cold were colluding in a cruel conspiracy sent to find and help Marta beyond the realm of anything returned. They informed me I’d ever imagined possible. I became disoriented in the darkness and began to fear the worse for Marta. Somehow I got back to Marta was coherent, and in fact she was reading a cheesy murder mystery (a book she did not even like) when they got to her. She did had Plight, I do not think the out- jacket useless just as the oem Ba” Beit reat eet snow started to come down in sheets. This was going to be a long night. I left two water bottles on the main trail as markers so I could find my way back. The trail had been hard to follow during the day, but now was the real test. I hobbled down the trail, my headlamp illuminat- ed a small circle of reality; I could barely make out the twisted, grotesque skyline of which I recognized nothing. Time, space, and distance became horribly distorted in the suffocating darkness. After about 1/2 mile I found a waterfall that I recognized. I remembered that the high school group was around the _ next bend. I sighed, thinking that the mission was easier than expected. I began to howl for help; the only reply I received was my voice echoing into the darkness. Unable to locate the group of campers, I soon found myself lost as the accumulating snow easily hid footprints and the trail eluded me. I took to follow- ing the stream which lead into a dense thicket of tamarisks and junipers, lined by steep, sandy walls on both sides. Seemingly unable to proceed forward and with retreating not an option, the frustration and uncertainty I experienced is beyond words. Marta’s fate was in my hands andI was accomplishing nothing. 7 Teh: omy After several attempts, I climbed the steep wall and went overland looking for the trail and instead wound up in a side canyon. Anxiety was twisting my stomach into knots and my knee was beginning to become unbear- come would have been nearly as propitious. Fortunately, Marta is expected to make almost a complete recovery, as am I. | The unusual nature of the accident Marta and I were in 1s conducive to com- X-Ray of Ms. Heilbrun’s leg shortly after the accident. Photo by University Radiology the stream, managed to find indeed have two compound the trail, and continued on. I fractures, but she was stabi- began to wonder if the had moved up canyon we passed them earlier day. If so, my efforts completely in vain. I lized and splinted. The deepness of the canyon-had ren- group after in the were began dered the ground-to-air radio ineffective. Three NOLS members then left for the _Yanger station nine miles away to expedite an air rescue. Time was crucial for Marta; she eventually lost over half of her blood. Under the numbness of heavy duty painkillers I returned to Marta, walking with a splint around my knee. to howl for help on a more frequent basis. Distance passed easier on a trail, although still at an abnor-mally slow pace as I dragged my leg. I howled for help yet another time when suddenly a headlamp shined in my direction. I had finally found help. The “high school” group turned out to be a group from the National Outdoor Sixteen an esteemed “‘school’”’ on the members, including assistant leader Matt Herr, to stabilize Marta. The group that went to help Marta was composed of one Wilderness EMT and two regular EMTs. I could no longer walk, but I was truly relieved by the credentials of the group sent to help Marta. I next began to wonder if they would be able to find her in the dark, and if they found her, would she be. salve: after the Salt Lake Tribune, and one - but prospects for a TV spot are in the works. Despite health insurance coverage for both of us, unexpected deductible bills are putting a cramp in my finances. The helicopter bill for the two of us was over $6,800. My parting advise to Chicken Little warned; sky really can fall. (Editor’s note: Ron and Marta were seen at Pam’s wedding on 4/15/95. They both appeared vibrant with health. Penner squired Ms. Heilbrun around the wedding in a shiny wheel chair.) *& WCR mae mek (801) 944-9444 Snowbird/Alta Salt Lake City Park City Deer Valley Residential Sales * Vacation Rentals * Investments * Property Management Fern Baird © Principal Broker a PROPERTIES experience in the Snowbird/Alta Resort Areas Sugarplum Powder Ridge Blackjack _ Hellgate The View the | The Wasatch Mountains, Utah « The Hamptons, New York SNOWBIRD / ALTA — — the best article of all, this Little Cottonwood Canyon’s only on site real estate office with over 20 years Leadership School (NOLS), leading edge of wilderness training. Liane Owen, the group leader, immediately assessed the seriousness of the situation. She reacted quickly and dispatched four hours eos far we have been limited to an article in Women’s Week, ty stream The Viet shallow ning through the canyon. When I got to the bank of the stream and started to descend, my knee buckled andI completely flipped ky mercial exploitation. Thus . she was transferred to an air- small, Sat 3 7g yee e Te: ME ene peice rarer rose 15 been severed; my left leg awaken. Continued from pg. 7 3 Ec Page rock altered our life, a helicopter landed close by and I was flown to an ambulance that took me to Blanding. From there I was later transferred to Salt Lake City. The helicopter then returned to rescue Marta was not taken first as she needed more time to be readied for the flight. Marta, who had gone without painkillers for the first 15. hours, went straight to the nearest airport.. From there Pain, Reality, and Romance Resa See 1995. 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