Ephrata native recovering from climbing fall near Las Vegas
“Every single medical professional who has spoken to me has iterated how lucky I am."
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — A former Ephrata man is recovering from injuries sustained in a long fall while rock climbing in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area near Las Vegas last month.
Jarred Jackman, 50, suffered a head wound, three broken vertebrae, and other injuries after taking a tumbling 40-to-50-foot plunge while climbing with partner Danny Urioste on a challenging multi-pitch route called “Dream Safari.”
In the fall, Jackman’s head struck the steep wall of darkly varnished sandstone, shattering his helmet — which likely saved his life — and briefly knocking him unconscious. Urioste placed an emergency call immediately following the late-morning accident on Saturday, Feb. 28.
That prompted a response from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s Search and Rescue unit, whose team members safely lowered the injured climber down 600 feet to the canyon floor during an ensuing seven-hour rescue. From there, Jackman was airlifted by helicopter for medical care.
In news accounts of the incident, Jackman said he was about 10 feet above a piece of protective gear — a metal “stopper” or nut which was solidly placed in a thin crack — when he slipped off. His fall was momentarily suspended by Urioste’s belay. But it’s suspected that a carabiner attaching the gear to their climbing rope somehow came unclipped, resulting in a much-longer drop to the next protective piece below.
In a post-surgery hospital interview with KSNV News3 of Las Vegas, Jackman appeared in good spirits despite wearing a “halo” device designed to stabilize his head and upper spine.
“Every single medical professional who has spoken to me has iterated how lucky I am,” Jackman said. “I’m ecstatic that I’m still here and that I can move many parts of my body.”
Jackman, a 1994 Ephrata High School graduate, and his wife, Sarah, split time between Washington state and Nevada, where he continues his recovery after being discharged from the hospital.
While acknowledging its potential risks, Jackman said he’s hopeful to return to the sport when fully healed.
He and Urioste are both experienced climbers. Urioste’s parents, Jorge and Joanne, pioneered a number of the early routes established in Red Rock Canyon, which attracts both climbers and casual visitors worldwide with its dramatic desert landscape, towering multi-hued sandstone formations, and proximity to nearby glittering Las Vegas.
Jackman expressed his thanks and deep appreciation to all those who assisted in his rescue.
His sister, Jenese Llewellyn, has established a GoFundMe account to help with his medical bills. Any extra funds will be donated to the Las Vegas Police Metro S&R unit.
An in-depth report of Jackman’s accident was published this week in Climbing magazine.
