Climbing & Mountaineering

Nick Harper

Guess by now most people know that Nick took a bit of a fall on the Ben last sat.

He is now in intensive care in Glasgow, and the latest news from Geoff Allman, who lives in Glencoe and had Nick and his wife staying with them when the accident happened, is that as of today, Wed 18th Jan, Nick is stable and the consultants say they believe he will make a full recovery.

He has scull fractures, but thats ok cause he was always thick sculled! jaw fracture, 1 shoulder broken, 1 elbow as well broken I think, both lungs not good, pelvis? ribs broken, kidneys etc ok, and he was able to move his toes and open his eyes when they brought him round yesterday, today he was able to move his arms a bit.

They have him dopped up and asleep most of the time, and he is on a breathing system for a least a week.

He was on Cascade with Robin and was lucky as 2 other climbers who saw the fall were from the local mountain rescue team, and 1 was a medic. The comment was that Nick was fit and we all know how thick skinned he is, this probably helped save him as they first thought he was a gonna! 75 m on to snow and rocks is a fair drop!

Will keep posting any new developments.

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Permalink Reply by Crofty on February 5, 2012 at 18:03

Thanks for that Dick, Guido had asked me to get the ward number and post it if anyone did want to visit/send a card, but you have saved me the bother. Glad to hear Nick is on the mend.

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Permalink Reply by Pete Brown on February 5, 2012 at 20:52

I went to see Nick in Ward 25 at York District today and thankfully he was in much better condition than expected considering the catalogue of injuries he has sustained. Had a good long chat and reminisce. Nick, Judy and family expressed their thanks and gratitude for all the messages of support received and passed down the grapevine. Special mention was made of Geoff and Lynn Allman who were absolute in their steadfast support for Judy in the difficult period in the few weeks after the accident and Mickey Beard and John Key who travelled up to Glasgow and stayed over for a few hosp. visits cheering everyone up with their old school banter. Nick will probably be in hosp for another 3 weeks yet, although with his strength and resolve he will no doubt try and reduce this.

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Permalink Reply by lithos on February 8, 2012 at 14:38

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/9518310.Ben_Nevis_climber_returns_t...

now in the press

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Permalink Reply by Adam Hughes on February 22, 2012 at 9:08

Does anyone know if Nick's axes were returned, or if they are still in and around the Fort. I travel home on the 10th March and can bring them with me if needed.

Really glad to hear Nick is making a good recovery!

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Permalink Reply by Nick Harper on March 8, 2012 at 12:45

Hello there every body. I got out of hospital on Sat 25.02.12 I'm getting about on elbow crutches at the moment. I'm getting into work and doing a bit, not much.

I'd like to thank every body for thier good wishes. I was amazed at the number of cards I have had and the number of visitors while in hospital.

There were old acquaintance turned up on the ward who made a long day a lot shorter. Good to see you all.

I've got a broken pelvis which is what is going to take a while yet to sort it self out.

The rest of the injuries I sustained are more or less sorted out now. As Dick said thick skin and a hard head.

I did three weeks in Glasgow Western General and three weeks in York District. Sounds like I was a right ignorant bugger while in Glasgow. I'll have to send my apologises. I was better in York apart from one unautherised stagger to the toilet. I used the facilities and staggered back into bed on the first day in York and decided that hadn't been a good idea. Full sweat on and left leg acheing bad so I stuck to the "bed rest" after that.

Thanks again.