In March of this year, Brandon took his wife and a visiting climber from Hungry to the Atlantis climbing area in Queen Creek Canyon near Phoenix, AZ. They were warming up on some easy routes and were all thoroughly enjoying the day. On Brandon’s second lead of the day climbing an easy 5.8, things were going fine until they weren’t.

From what Brandon later heard from his belayer, wife, and a bystander who witnessed the event, he was approximately 7-8 ft above his last bolt (the second bolt in the climb) and at clipping level to the next one, when a flake of rock he was using as a toehold sheared off quite suddenly. The flake fell and hit his belayer's hand, who had the presence of mind not to lose the rope. Brandon fell, hit a ledge with his shoulder and then head and then hit the ground 20 feet below.

Listen here for the full story.

This podcast is produced by Ashley Saupe. This podcast is sponsored by Rocky Talkie, the American Alpine Institute and LIVSN.

HELMET GIVEAWAY:

Brandon feels so passionately about people wearing helmets, that he wants to purchase TWO helmets for TWO people that would be unable to purchase their own helmet due to financial reasons. He was wearing a Black Diamond Capitan helmet when he had his unplanned encounter with gravity (and that’s what very likely saved his life) so that’s the helmet he wants to purchase to give away. In order to be considered for this helmet sponsorship, head over to thesharpendpodcast.com and sign up on the homepage. Remember, this is exclusive to people who do not already have a helmet due to financial reasons. Giveaway will be on September 30th. Good luck!

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