Thread: Near-Miss

Good thread.
I was solo and trying to make it off a steep snowy face before dark with a tahr in my pack. I knew I didn't want to be on this face in the dark as there was a big bluff I had to navigate over the top of. I also hadn't eaten for a long time because I didn't want to slow down at any stage and loose light. I think this affected my decision making a bit.
I got to the final snow chute to cross above the 100m bluff and stupidly thought, I should get my ice axe now but I didn't and pushed on, I was on a mission. Two steps in I start sliding, can't reach my ice axe. Picking up speed with the edge approaching I managed to line my self up on a lone tussock sticking through the snow and hit it with one foot that brought me to an immediate stop. I got my ice axe out and crossed the rest. I took a long breather in the dark once I got off that face. I'm lucky and I can't beleive how dumb I was. Things happen fast.
I've got a young family at home. Heck of a wake up call.

I always carry an inreach on my chest rig and a plb in zip pant leg so i can always reach one in an emergency but I can't use them if I'm not concious. They are no good in your pack... just like an ice axe.