People do bizarre things when they are faced with unfamiliar territory. There was a fellow who summitted Whitney from the Crabtree area via the JMT, and may have thought he could shortcut back down by heading down the north side. He didn't make it out alive.

I have seen several trip reports of people ascending the north side of Whitney. But the trick seems to be doing it when there is snow -- crampons get way more grip on snow than hiking boots on granite.

For the 1980s story, people sometimes do superhuman things when injured -- like walking out with broken bones.

For more dark reading: Mt Whitney SAR activity: Injury, Rescue, Deaths, Recovery

Edit: Notes from listening to the podcast... Epic story! They had almost completed the JMT via snow in ~April/May. His slide was at least cushioned by snow; miraculously, he was not injured badly -- hairline fractures in his back. She was downclimbing with a 30 pound pack when she slipped. Her list of injuries is phenomenal! They stayed in their tent at the base of the north face two days waiting out the storm. Finally got to Lone Pine 5 days after being on the summit. She returned years later to the fall site, found the heel of her boot, and his ski. Recovery: bedridden 4 months. Was hiking the following summer. Plagued by chronic pain -- using walker in 2007. Went to Katmandu to see a physician who helped get past the pain. Her partner(and husband) did not want to discuss the problem; they eventually split after 20 years.

Last edited by Steve C; 04/05/21 11:14 PM.