Falling Down a Mountainside | A Climber's Struggle to Survive in the Sierra Nevada

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  • čas přidán 9. 07. 2024
  • Derek Cheng is an avid climber from New Zealand with a fifteen-year climbing history under his belt. At the time, Derek was living abroad in North America in a camper van. His current home was the Sierra Nevada, a mecca for rock climbers around the world. On this outing, he would climb The Minarets near Mammoth Lakes in California. Derek felt adequately prepared and confident. Progressing amid beautiful rock formations and scenic vistas. Derek took a break during the climb up, enjoying a Clif bar and relishing the accomplishments of scaling a few technical climbs and tagging the initial peaks of the traverse. This would be Cheng's last memory for the next few hours.
    0:00 Introduction
    0:43 The Sierra Nevadas
    2:05 The Derek Cheng Ordeal
    12:53 The Aftermath
    17:34 Conclusion/Survival Info
    If you haven't yet, please subscribe by clicking here: / @outdoordisasters
    Music by Scott Buckley "Omega"
    Video credits:
    • The Minarets Epic 30 S...
    • Moonset and Sunrise vi...
    • Solo Hiking to Shadow ...
    • Night Hike at Robin Hill
    • Clyde Minaret attempt
    • Clyde Minaret SE Face:...
    • Climbing Clyde Minaret
    • Clyde Minaret Rock Cli...
    DISCLAIMER: All materials in these videos fall within the guidelines of fair dealing/fair use. No copyright infringement intended. All rights belong to their respective owners. If you are, or represent, the copyright owner of materials used in this video, and have an issue with the use of said material, or have any questions, feedback, suggestions, etc, email OD at outdoordisasters360@gmail.com Copyright © 2023 Outdoor Disasters. All rights reserved.
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Komentáře • 99

  • @ridinwithjake
    @ridinwithjake Před 6 měsíci +28

    Kudos to the hiker that refused to let him hike down alone and insisted on accompanying him to the van.

  • @johnchedsey1306
    @johnchedsey1306 Před 6 měsíci +31

    This guy is a legit tough guy, and I mean that in the most positive way. All those injuries and he still got himself out of there. And then being polite along the way. Super happy to hear he recovered and is back doing what he loves.

    • @anais4766
      @anais4766 Před 6 měsíci +1

      Yeah, that's shocking and amazing... in his condition, he didn't only survive but remembered to politely greet fellow hikers on his way. Gosh either the brain injury acted like a super happy drug, or the dude just has a mind and calm attitude like a steel! 😳And good on the hikers helped him, so nice and kind. Got sick of the awful story heard about those being cold and indifferent to fellow hikers met on the trail, while clearly seeing him struggle and lagging behind, they just marched on as nothing happened, didn't even bother to report it to ranger or anyone! Poor guy died, unfortunately... good on Derek and the hikers whom helped, good to know there are lots people out there make you feel the world is a nice place and there are good people around.

  • @user-tp4jx3lp7w
    @user-tp4jx3lp7w Před 5 měsíci +8

    The people who walked Derek back are Heros. They are the right people to have when needed

  • @jeepliving1
    @jeepliving1 Před 6 měsíci +43

    Sounds like Derek didn't have to rely on courage and fortitude. His under-appreciation of the extent of his injuries seemed to be enough to let him just casually walk out of the woods without panic. How he was able to walk disoriented in the dark looking for the trail without becoming completely lost is mind-boggling. It was also shocking that he had to debate whether or not to continue the ascent after waking up bloody.

    • @meganambas9827
      @meganambas9827 Před 6 měsíci +10

      Did you miss the part where he had a TBI? Making logical decisions is out the window when you’re dealing with a head injury.

    • @outdoordisasters
      @outdoordisasters  Před 6 měsíci +7

      I couldn't had said it better. My thoughts exactly. Always appreciate your awesome comments jeep!

    • @susana5505
      @susana5505 Před 6 měsíci +3

      I'm so happy he lived, it will b one of my favorite stories on ODD.

    • @kimmccabe1422
      @kimmccabe1422 Před 6 měsíci

      You go to that zone where it's beyond human. Next level, heaven.

    • @Jaromir-Druzba
      @Jaromir-Druzba Před 6 měsíci +1

      @@meganambas9827 Absolutely. I've just left a comment about it as a warning to anyone who encounters people with head injury. Worst thing people can do - rely on assurances of the injured one that "everything is OK". I've suffered head concussion myself and when people told me what I was doing after sustaining the injury I was terrified of how even worse it all could have went.

  • @chrisbentleywalkingandrambling
    @chrisbentleywalkingandrambling Před 6 měsíci +8

    You hear of so many people turning up with aches and pains at A&E (ER) desperate for pain relief, and Derek sits in a waiting patiently waiting to be called, saying he isn't that bad. This guys self survival and determination is amazing, and walking 7 hours randomly just saying hi to passing hikers shows how unaware he was of the seriousness of his injuries. One lucky guy initially, then one tenacious badass. Thank you for sharing this amazing story.

  • @dtaylor10chuckufarle
    @dtaylor10chuckufarle Před 6 měsíci +9

    Derek is a very tough man with a high pain threshold... and a lot of luck. I'm glad he's OK!

  • @Mary-momof8
    @Mary-momof8 Před 6 měsíci +18

    I was feeling sick just listening to his injuries. I'm in awe he got down the mountain unassisted!😮

    • @peggedyourdad9560
      @peggedyourdad9560 Před 6 měsíci +4

      Brain damage is one hell of a drug lol.

    • @outdoordisasters
      @outdoordisasters  Před 6 měsíci +9

      Tell me about it. I was sick producing this. Horrifying injuries

    • @peggedyourdad9560
      @peggedyourdad9560 Před 6 měsíci +3

      @@outdoordisasters Oh seriously, I’m amazed that he managed to make a recovery at all and even more so that he’s still able to continue his hobby.
      I hope you’re able to take a break from looking at those quite frankly nasty injures since I can imagine how much you were affected from having to look at them so much while making the video.

  • @doravelazquez3049
    @doravelazquez3049 Před 6 měsíci +20

    Thank God he made it 😢 This is crazy and how humbled he was.

  • @minniewalker4836
    @minniewalker4836 Před 6 měsíci +4

    This is amazing, to keep moving through all that pain as well as falling unconscious a few times & yet he was able to find the strength to keep going through numerous injuries & show politeness to a passerby because he didn't want to ruin their day. To Derek & the person that helped him along the way hats off to you both. This is integrity at the highest level. God Bless.

  • @Mars0984
    @Mars0984 Před 6 měsíci +9

    God bless the hikers that insisted on taking him in. I hope they find this video someday. Also I’m impressed by this guys pain tolerance. How could you say you’re fine with all these injuries, wow. Glad he got rescued.

  • @sandyseward522
    @sandyseward522 Před 6 měsíci +6

    WOW oh WOW .
    Unbelievable story and determination Derik possesses!

  • @ambivertical
    @ambivertical Před 6 měsíci +6

    This dude is hardcore. Mad respect

  • @javierross7441
    @javierross7441 Před 6 měsíci +16

    Another awesome video displaying the feat of human resilience.
    Keep them coming!!

  • @mleah.
    @mleah. Před 6 měsíci +10

    What an absolute badass.

  • @susana5505
    @susana5505 Před 6 měsíci +11

    Super hero if I ever met one! Can't imagine the strength he had. Glad he could deny his injuries, to help save himself.

  • @cynthiadriver9781
    @cynthiadriver9781 Před 6 měsíci +9

    Gaurdian angels are real..✨️

  • @mtadams2009
    @mtadams2009 Před 6 měsíci +2

    Many decades ago I fell rock climbing and grounded out. I fractured my skull. At first it did not seem so bad. I walked out of woods with my climbing partner. We had planned to go to a concert that night and I actually thought we would still go. As we drove home things started to go bad. To make a long story short I ended spending two weeks in the hospital. When your brain takes a serious injury strange things can happen and your judgment can fail you. Mad respect for his will take get himself down but also the same respect for those two hikers who stepped it up and took charge. They may have saved this life. They did the right thing. Not everyone would.

  • @JulieAVL
    @JulieAVL Před 6 měsíci +5

    So damn glad he is ok!

  • @timberdaniels7317
    @timberdaniels7317 Před 6 měsíci +19

    Thank you for the video! His injuries looked so painful and I cringed when I saw his face. I'm glad that Derek survived his ordeal on Clyde Minaret. I hope you have a Merry Christmas and happy New Year!

  • @mayahawj3852
    @mayahawj3852 Před 6 měsíci +10

    Sierra Nevada & the eastern sierra is so beautiful. Mineret lake is one of my favorite hike. Peter Starr was one of the countries best mountaineer however in 1933 he disappeared during a climbing expedition in the minerets.

    • @sf9145
      @sf9145 Před 6 měsíci +1

      I would like to hear that story

    • @sndspderbytes
      @sndspderbytes Před 6 měsíci +3

      Norman Clyde found his body The parents gave Clyde life time stipend.

  • @reneejones7807
    @reneejones7807 Před 6 měsíci +5

    Excellent narration- lucky he landed as he did!

  • @isaacjamesbaker
    @isaacjamesbaker Před 6 měsíci +2

    What a gnarly story! Those injuries are so brutal and I felt nauseous hearing them. Glad the hiker helped out.

  • @andrewbrown6522
    @andrewbrown6522 Před 4 měsíci +1

    This what shock and adrenaline looks like. Dude is both lucky and a trooper.

  • @matthewbjordahl2866
    @matthewbjordahl2866 Před 6 měsíci +7

    I love your channel
    I tear up after every episode

  • @sf9145
    @sf9145 Před 6 měsíci +13

    I really enjoyed this one! It"s fascinating to hear how the body and mind cope in these situations. Really like how after all the challenges to have a happy ending. Those stories are the best! Thank you and Merry Christmas!

    • @outdoordisasters
      @outdoordisasters  Před 6 měsíci +5

      Yes definitely. Trying to limit the doom and death during the holiday season. Merry Christmas to you as well!

  • @blackhawkorg
    @blackhawkorg Před 6 měsíci +5

    Excellent presentation. Try to avoid repeating yourself though.
    Kudos to this tough climber for dragging himself out after severe injuries. That's self sufficiency.
    Simply outstanding. Godspeed Sir.

  • @paulajensen3664
    @paulajensen3664 Před 6 měsíci +5

    Another great story - the way you tell these Keeps me on the edge of my seat!So glad Derek made it thru.

  • @RedVoteRedemption
    @RedVoteRedemption Před 6 měsíci +4

    Here we go!!

  • @Katie-vy5rd
    @Katie-vy5rd Před 6 měsíci +4

    Im away from home for a couple months for work and just hearing your big strong voice is comforting while listening about a remarkable young man in one of the most spectacular placess on earth. I lived in reno for my last year in HS and some college. Im yearning to go back to hike Tahoe. 😊 merry happy Christmas 🎄

    • @outdoordisasters
      @outdoordisasters  Před 6 měsíci +1

      That's awesome. Thank you so much and Merry Christmas!

  • @kimmccabe1422
    @kimmccabe1422 Před 6 měsíci +4

    He went to that zone, super human, where life and death are in a race, neck to neck but life wants it more. and life wants it more! Next zone, heaven. Me, i never go off the trail..

  • @iPervy
    @iPervy Před 6 měsíci +2

    Dang bro is tough. A lesser outdoorsman would be here today. Climb on brother.

  • @MaryWahlen
    @MaryWahlen Před 6 měsíci +3

    ❤ Thanks again so much for another awesome, informative and beautifully told video!!!! As always, love this channel! Merry Christmas ⛄🎁 Hope you have a wonderful holiday!

  • @Jaromir-Druzba
    @Jaromir-Druzba Před 6 měsíci +3

    To anyone who saw the video and reads this:
    If you ever encounter anyone who seems to have suffered a head injury - do not listen to their "self evaluation" of their situation. People who suffered a head concussion tend to brush things off as if in some sort of alternate reality. Therefore, consent or not, whether they like it or not, take them directly to the hospital.
    I've suffered a head concussion once before. My memory is blank for a period of two months starting from maybe seconds before it happened until two months later. It was then that people told me to my horror, that I was released by a hotel medical employee once I've regained consciousness and I drove on my own for 4 hours through mountains back to the city. And even then I've intended to go to sleep as if nothing happened. It was my neighbour who saw me and asked about what happened. He simply told me to shut up and forced me into the car and rushed to the hospital. And there I stayed for over a month.
    Both of us are experienced hikers. Thanks to him nothing more serious happened. But even in this case you can see that one's brain doesn't function rationally with this sort of injuries.
    All stay safe and watch out for each other!

  • @KaptainKopter
    @KaptainKopter Před 6 měsíci +1

    Wow! What a story! I just love this channel! It is completely obvious that Outdoor Disasters works very hard to get us the best stories! I, personally appreciate that and they always give us the best stories! Like this one about Derek and his struggles on the mountain! Happy that he with help survived this harrowing ordeal!

  • @debbieellett9093
    @debbieellett9093 Před 6 měsíci +8

    Derek was not lucky, he was blessed. He definitely experienced Devine intervention! Thanks OD, this was an amazing story! Have a Merry Christmas!

  • @wasabiflavoredcocaine
    @wasabiflavoredcocaine Před 6 měsíci +4

    15:28 "I was on fentanyl so that just sounded good to me".
    Imagine what Derek would enjoy on Bud Ice

  • @welshwarrior5263
    @welshwarrior5263 Před 6 měsíci +2

    That is one lucky dude.

  • @MaryDoyle-xl2ri
    @MaryDoyle-xl2ri Před 6 měsíci +2

    Thank you O D enjoyed this one too love your channel❤️❤️🎄🎄👏

  • @happyhorizons9247
    @happyhorizons9247 Před 6 měsíci

    its amazing the "trance" that shock can afford at times... this seems to be a fine example;)

  • @randyrustybuts9566
    @randyrustybuts9566 Před 6 měsíci +7

    honestly this is very noble but I don't know why he didn't just take the cable car it's what I would do on any mountain

    • @sndspderbytes
      @sndspderbytes Před 6 měsíci

      That Mountan is way out in the wilderness! Cable cars would great!

  • @illicit_fpv8208
    @illicit_fpv8208 Před 6 měsíci +1

    Another great video!

  • @princessmarlena1359
    @princessmarlena1359 Před 6 měsíci

    🎶🎵”Fall-in’ down the mount-ain!”

  • @jenk.6196
    @jenk.6196 Před 5 měsíci

    Love your videos. Just one thing re: this video. The correct word that described the blood in and around his eyes that made it hard for the doctors to open is “congealed” not “concealed.” (I’m a writer so I notice these things.) 😊.
    Having pointed that out, you might have actually meant to say “concealed” IF you were meaning to say that the blood was hiding his eye, rather than what was actually causing that concealment which was the coagulated blood!

  • @joemadda
    @joemadda Před 6 měsíci +3

    Whether drinking or mountain climbing gravity is always there waiting for you to make a mistake.

  • @hazelduerdoth4333
    @hazelduerdoth4333 Před 6 měsíci

    Thank you for your amazing videos 😀😀 merry Christmas to you and your family ❤️❤️❤️

  • @franciscoramirez9867
    @franciscoramirez9867 Před 6 měsíci +1

    Yea boii have a good night everyone!

  • @russ549
    @russ549 Před 4 měsíci

    I thought the same exact thing! Before it was said... that he must have been hit by a falling rock!

  • @peregrination3643
    @peregrination3643 Před 6 měsíci

    It's one of those things when your greatest asset is being in that loopy state where you can still take care of yourself, but you're gone enough to not be worried.

  • @mikesimms3380
    @mikesimms3380 Před 6 měsíci +1

    It's the simple stuff that can be the most dangerous. An easy scramble can still kill the complacent climber.

  • @goddammitalana
    @goddammitalana Před 6 měsíci +1

  • @louisepotier2784
    @louisepotier2784 Před 6 měsíci +1

    Why down-play???? I agree though that it must have kept him calm... And is it congealed blood in the eye or congealed blood? Both! and OUCH.

  • @mattymayhem1232
    @mattymayhem1232 Před 3 měsíci

    Imagine stumbling upon this guy during your hike and he's so nonchalant about what's going on 😅 Fractured skull? Ehhh no problem I'll be good. Not if you excuse me I have to walk another 7 hours.

  • @130mMer5boc
    @130mMer5boc Před 6 dny

    Most hardcore hiker ever.

  • @timothyclark-sl4il
    @timothyclark-sl4il Před 6 měsíci

    Mountain Sharks!

  • @JulieDodgshon
    @JulieDodgshon Před 6 měsíci +4

    I think people shouldn’t go climbing or on long hikes by them selves!

  • @sagepirotess6312
    @sagepirotess6312 Před 6 měsíci +5

    Disappointed I wont get to see a new episode on x mas eve or day from you. Saying that as you said you do a marathon, you should post first 3 to 5 videos you did. As most subs probably didn't watch them, so it be new for them.

  • @JavierBonillaC
    @JavierBonillaC Před 6 měsíci

    Is this going to be full of B-Rolls? 7:05 “His hands had swelled”? I am Mexican so I might be wrong, but isn’t it “swollen”?

    • @kidstuff44555
      @kidstuff44555 Před 6 měsíci +1

      "Swelled" is an accurate word, you could say "His hands had swelled" or "His hands were swollen." In this case the former is actually more descriptive.

    • @JavierBonillaC
      @JavierBonillaC Před 6 měsíci +1

      @@kidstuff44555 thank you.

    • @kidstuff44555
      @kidstuff44555 Před 6 měsíci

      @@JavierBonillaC No worries :)

  • @bookonomatopoeia
    @bookonomatopoeia Před 6 měsíci +1

    Multiple broken bones e in his spine, legs and skull… wtf?!?

  • @sirensynapse5603
    @sirensynapse5603 Před 6 měsíci +1

    Being basted in blood, he's lucky he wasn't eaten by bears, buzzards, or wusels!

  • @gottago1052
    @gottago1052 Před 6 měsíci

    Our sky especially in California should not be purple or orange, only blue. Obviously it's geoengineering, toxic.

  • @kylehome8818
    @kylehome8818 Před 6 měsíci +1

    For his sake I hope he had good travellers medical insurance.

  • @jenk.6196
    @jenk.6196 Před 5 měsíci

    I notice in many of your videos you use the phrase, “lean on something greater than yourself.” What would be some examples of that? I mean, in this particular story, the mountain would be “greater” than this guy, but obviously he couldn’t lean on it.
    I think you’d be better off stating the truth: that that “something” is actually a “Someone.” Regardless of whether anyone believes in God or not, once they find themselves in a life threatening situation, a good majority of people will cry out to God for help. (And for good reason.) As the saying goes, “There are no atheists in fox holes.”
    In other words, unless they consider “Mother Nature” as an actually deity, at no one is going to cry out to “her” for help. This would be the mountain, the rushing river, the snowstorm, the attacking Grizzly…or whatever aspect of formidable Mother Nature is threatening their life. As you have expressed yourself many times, nature is completely indifferent to the plight of human beings.

  • @tomgerrity7687
    @tomgerrity7687 Před 6 měsíci

    This guy is a danger and liability to anyone who wishes to go with him on any type of excursion . something will happen again .