I mentioned an older climber I knew that broke his back in another thread. This guy was prolly 20 years older than me. I worked with him when I was in my 20's. We were both working for a service where the owner had started out working for this guy. About 10 years before I met him he had either cut himself out of the tree or forgot to remove his tie in before topping. Can't remember which he said (it's been at least 15 years). I also can't remember if he had broke his back or his neck. What I do remember is him telling me exactly what Lonewolf said above.
He told me about the day of his accident. Said he had had a good week. Said he had over a thousand bucks in his pocket and was finishing his last tree on his last job for the week. He said he was tired from working all week, had money in his pocket, was about to get paid more money and was rushing so he could go out and party. He said he just took his eye off the ball. Said he made a foolish, simple mistake that profoundly changed his life and nearly ruined his career. He was never the same climber as he used to be he said. He couldn't be, he was physically impaired.
Anyway, I'll never forget him telling me to watch out for the last tree, the last cut on the last job of the week.
