Support Ellen's Recovery: Climbing Accident Fund

On July 28th, Ellen Duffer was on her way to climb Luahna Peak/Pilz Glacier with a group of Mountaineers in WA state. Approximately 750' into the descent into the Napeequa River valley, Ellen slipped in a small section of bad trail and tumbled down the slope approximately 120' suffering double compound leg fractures. A fall like that has a less than 50% survival rate.

Although out of sight, she was able to yell up to communicate her legs were broken which triggered the team to immediately activate SOS on one member's satellite device. Three team members descended and were able to locate her to perform 1st aid, prevent further falling, and prepared for medevac extract. Approximately 3.5-4 hours after her fall she was flown out to the ER in Everett, WA by the Snohomish County Helicopter Rescue Team.

At the ER in Everett, she was given several scans to assess her injuries and it was determined she had not sustained any brain or spinal cord injuries. However, due to the extent of her injuries, she was classified as Trauma 1 Critical and flown to a Level 1 Trauma Center in Seattle, WA.

While we are incredibly thankful Ellen does not have any brain or spinal trauma, her injuries are still extensive: She has bilateral compound tib/fib fractures—i.e. open ankle fractures on both legs, and will need a couple surgeries to help repair and it will be a while before she's able to walk again. She also suffered a concussion, and several lacerations including a large one on her head, and arms (luckily missing any major arteries, and barely missing her left eye).

Her dad, Mark flew out to Seattle on Saturday to be with her while she was in the ICU at Harbor View Trauma center. Her friends Rachel and climbers from the Seattle Area climbing community helped coordinate her care and support her during this time.

Ellen had also recently left her job as a Marketing Manager to become a nurse. But this accident means she's going to have to put nursing prerequisites, the job she had just got hired for (patient sitter at Swedish First Hill), and thus actual nursing school on hold for an indefinite amount of time.

While all of her injuries are fixable, it will be a long and painful road to recovery, before Ellen will be able to get back to doing what she loves both outdoors and her passion for helping people via nursing.

In order for Ellen to recover, she will be needing extensive rehabilitation in a specialized facility. When she returns home, she will need modifications to her apartment and assistance with travel to appointments.

Our ask is to send positive vibes to Ellen, Mark, and the rest of her family. She is young, strong, healthy and motivated! We are looking for funds to help pay for Ellen's medical and rehabilitation expenses that are not covered by insurance. Our goal is $40,000. She has a long road to recovery ahead. Anything to minimize financial stress will help so she can focus on healing.