The Fall That Nearly Changed Everything
“I’m just happy to be alive.”
When Daniel reflects on April 26, 2026, that’s where his story begins.
At 32 years old, Daniel was an experienced climber, software engineer, and outdoor enthusiast. Like many who spend years in the mountains, he understood the risks and took pride in his ability to navigate them safely.
That Sunday, Daniel was doing something he loved: sharing the beauty of the Pacific Northwest with friends who had recently moved from Dallas, Texas. While his friends had experience climbing indoors, they had little outdoor experience, and he was excited to introduce them to the mountains he had come to know so well.
His fiancée was there, too. At one point, she decided to take their dog for a walk on nearby trails while Daniel and his friends continued climbing.
Looking back, Daniel is profoundly grateful she wasn’t there for what happened next.
One Small Decision
A simple climbing problem led to a decision that would change everything.
Partway up the climb, Daniel’s rope became snagged. He devised what he believed was a simple plan to free it and return safely to the ground. Because the climbing route was shorter than the rope, he had developed a false sense of security and chose not to tie a stopper knot in the end of the rope—a simple backup that can prevent the rope from passing completely through a belay device.
But this wasn’t a standard climbing situation.
Daniel improvised a system to free the stuck rope. In doing so, he failed to recognize that the amount of usable rope available to his climbing partner had changed. At the same time, a critical misunderstanding occurred. Daniel believed he would be rappelling. His partner believed he would be lowering him.
Neither realized they had different understandings of the plan.
The Fall
Moments later, the rope slipped through the belay device, and Daniel fell approximately 30 feet onto a steep slope of rocks and talus below.
The impact left him with a fractured heel, a fractured fibula, small fractures on 2 vertebrae, and lung contusions.
In the aftermath of the accident, Daniel spent considerable time reflecting on what had happened.
His conclusion was surprisingly candid. “It was ego.”
He wanted to appear competent in front of his less-experienced friends, and he wanted to solve the problem quickly. The safer option was simply to wait for his friends to finish their climb and use their rope to retrieve his own. Instead, he devised a solution that saved only a few minutes but unfortunately increased the risk. Looking back, Daniel says the reward simply wasn’t worth it.
Daniel hopes others can learn from his experience. He now believes that good judgment isn’t just knowing how to solve a problem—it’s recognizing when the safest solution is to slow down.
Many outdoor accidents are not caused by a lack of experience. Often, they happen when experienced people become comfortable, make assumptions, or fail to fully communicate. During his recovery, Daniel spoke with a trusted climbing mentor who offered a perspective he hadn’t expected: “I could have made the same mistake.” Hearing those words reinforced an important truth—experience lowers risk, but it doesn’t eliminate it.
At Seattle Mountain Rescue, we are called on missions involving people of every experience level. More often than not, we are helping someone who knows exactly what they are doing. They are climbers, hikers, skiers, runners, mountain bikers, hunters, and outdoor professionals who have spent years developing their skills.
Accidents happen.
Experience reduces risk, but it does not eliminate it. A single misunderstanding, overlooked detail, changing conditions, or momentary lapse in judgment can turn an ordinary day outdoors into an emergency.
SMR: The Rescue He Never Expected
As Daniel lay injured on the rocky slope, he began thinking about how he would get out. Like many outdoor enthusiasts, he assumed the fire department would respond. Before that day, he had never heard of Seattle Mountain Rescue.
Then rescuers started arriving. And arriving. And arriving. Nearly twenty Seattle Mountain Rescue volunteers responded.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Daniel recalled. “It felt like a luxury service.”
What surprised him most wasn’t simply the number of rescuers. It was their professionalism, calm demeanor, and clear sense of purpose. Every volunteer knew their role. There was no judgment about how the accident happened. There was only a highly trained team focused on helping someone on one of the worst days of his life.
Within minutes, Daniel was receiving care and being prepared for evacuation. For Seattle Mountain Rescue, it was another mission. For Daniel, it was life changing. The physical injuries would heal. The emotional impact would take longer.
Gratitude
Daniel continues to process the accident and the reality of how close he came to a very different outcome. His friends who witnessed the fall are processing their own experience as well. He remains grateful that his fiancée was not among them.
What stays with him most is gratitude.
Gratitude for the volunteers who responded.
Gratitude for the opportunity to recover. And gratitude for a future he almost lost.
Months after the accident, Daniel shared a message with Seattle Mountain Rescue that perfectly captures why your support matters:
“I’m most thankful that I’m still able to attend my own wedding in no small part because of SMR.”
Despite months on crutches and a difficult recovery, Daniel walked down the aisle and married the love of his life.
Why We Respond
Today, he is nearly fully recovered.
His story serves as an important reminder that accidents can happen to anyone. They happen to beginners and experts alike. They happen in a matter of seconds.
When they do, Seattle Mountain Rescue is ready.
Every rescue mission depends on highly trained volunteers, specialized equipment, and thousands of hours of preparation.
We never charge for our services. Our ability to respond is made possible entirely through the generosity of donors like you.
Your support ensures that when someone’s worst day arrives, a team of dedicated volunteers is ready to answer the call.
Because everyone deserves the chance to make it home.
Why Your Support Matters
Seattle Mountain Rescue is a 100% volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives through search, rescue, and mountain safety education. Every mission depends on donations to provide essential gear, training, and resources.
Your support ensures rescuers have the gear, training, and resources they need to act quickly and safely. More than that, it means that when the next emergency strikes, SMR will be there to answer the call.
Daniel, his wife Amy, their friends and family are forever grateful for SMR. Now they’re asking you to join them—make a gift today to help Seattle Mountain Rescue continue bringing everyone home.
Seattle Mountain Rescue is a non-profit organization run by dedicated, highly trained volunteers. We do not charge for our services. Seattle Mountain Rescue is registered as a 501(c)(3) under “Mountain Rescue Council” with EIN 91-6049880.
Thank you for your support!
