Tyler Willis Medical Expenses
Donation protected
Hello friends and family.
On Sunday, Aug. 8, our family received news that no one ever wants to hear: our husband, father, brother, son, and friend Tyler Willis was in a mountain climbing accident. He was adventuring in the Tetons conquering the Grand and Mt. Owen when he stepped on a weak spot on a flat ice field. He plummeted about 30 feet into a crevasse where he was wedged in a narrow spot. Getting wedged prevented him from falling all the way to the bottom but made the ensuing rescue difficult. Luckily, he was with his best friend, Josh Anderson, who would stop at nothing to get his buddy out. Josh was able to flag down two climbers who were the only other climbers on the mountain and were, miraculously, only about 20 minutes behind. Josh, Ryan, and Kia were able to pull Tyler out about an hour and a half after he fell in the crevasse. Josh and the other climbers used skills learned through their experiences with Search and Rescue to keep Tyler alive until the Jenny Lake Rangers were able to get to the group around 3 a.m. Tyler was airlifted off the mountain around 7 a.m. (after protesting that he could walk down the mountain—the hypothermia had clearly left him a little delusional!) and was then life-flighted to the East Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls where he was treated for severe hypothermia and injuries sustained in both the fall and rescue. Here is a link to a news story about his rescue.
We’re so grateful to Josh, Ryan, Kia, the Jenny Lake Rangers, and the medical personnel who are the reasons for the many miracles we’ve seen during this time. When Tyler recounted his story to the family, we honestly could not believe that we were talking to him because there were multiple points during his night on the mountain when it seemed like he should not have survived. We have been so impressed with Tyler’s attitude throughout this ordeal. He mentioned that he had a conversation with himself when he was alone in the hospital—he could either be angry and frustrated about what happened or be grateful that he’s alive. His giant smile in every picture probably tells you which attitude he chose.
Despite Tyler’s smile and the miracles we’ve seen, we know Tyler is still facing months, if not years, of recovery, especially regaining the use of his arms and hands which were injured by the rope used to pull him out of the crevasse. We know many of you are concerned about Tyler, Kara, and their kids at this time. We appreciate the many offers of help and support in addition to the thoughts and prayers on behalf of his continued recovery. Tyler and Kara are going to face large medical expenses due to the life flight, hospital care, and continued need for physical and occupational therapy. We have established this Go Fund Me to provide those of you with the means and desire to do so an opportunity to contribute to Tyler’s recovery.
We love and appreciate all of you! Thank you for rallying around Tyler, Kara, and our whole family during this time.
On Sunday, Aug. 8, our family received news that no one ever wants to hear: our husband, father, brother, son, and friend Tyler Willis was in a mountain climbing accident. He was adventuring in the Tetons conquering the Grand and Mt. Owen when he stepped on a weak spot on a flat ice field. He plummeted about 30 feet into a crevasse where he was wedged in a narrow spot. Getting wedged prevented him from falling all the way to the bottom but made the ensuing rescue difficult. Luckily, he was with his best friend, Josh Anderson, who would stop at nothing to get his buddy out. Josh was able to flag down two climbers who were the only other climbers on the mountain and were, miraculously, only about 20 minutes behind. Josh, Ryan, and Kia were able to pull Tyler out about an hour and a half after he fell in the crevasse. Josh and the other climbers used skills learned through their experiences with Search and Rescue to keep Tyler alive until the Jenny Lake Rangers were able to get to the group around 3 a.m. Tyler was airlifted off the mountain around 7 a.m. (after protesting that he could walk down the mountain—the hypothermia had clearly left him a little delusional!) and was then life-flighted to the East Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls where he was treated for severe hypothermia and injuries sustained in both the fall and rescue. Here is a link to a news story about his rescue.
We’re so grateful to Josh, Ryan, Kia, the Jenny Lake Rangers, and the medical personnel who are the reasons for the many miracles we’ve seen during this time. When Tyler recounted his story to the family, we honestly could not believe that we were talking to him because there were multiple points during his night on the mountain when it seemed like he should not have survived. We have been so impressed with Tyler’s attitude throughout this ordeal. He mentioned that he had a conversation with himself when he was alone in the hospital—he could either be angry and frustrated about what happened or be grateful that he’s alive. His giant smile in every picture probably tells you which attitude he chose.
Despite Tyler’s smile and the miracles we’ve seen, we know Tyler is still facing months, if not years, of recovery, especially regaining the use of his arms and hands which were injured by the rope used to pull him out of the crevasse. We know many of you are concerned about Tyler, Kara, and their kids at this time. We appreciate the many offers of help and support in addition to the thoughts and prayers on behalf of his continued recovery. Tyler and Kara are going to face large medical expenses due to the life flight, hospital care, and continued need for physical and occupational therapy. We have established this Go Fund Me to provide those of you with the means and desire to do so an opportunity to contribute to Tyler’s recovery.
We love and appreciate all of you! Thank you for rallying around Tyler, Kara, and our whole family during this time.
Organizer and beneficiary
Emily Willis
Organizer
West Valley City, UT
Tyler Willis
Beneficiary
