Gathermeister was down and is now back! (updated title)

[SugarCube]

Uncle Louie, the original Gathermeister, had an epic fall today and will miss the rest of the Gathering. I understand that some of you witnessed it and I regret I don’t know who all to personally thank for helping him. He has 2 fractured vertebrae in his neck. I understand the hip and coolest are now sporting cervical collars!

Huge thanks to jgiddyup and Michel for all your kindness and help. I appreciate your friendship and generosity more than I can say.

I will be en route to SLC soon and we’ll head back to Kentucky later this week.

Be safe, y’all, and some positive vibes to UL would be so welcome.

 

[Freaq]

Terrible news.

Here's to a speedy recovery.

++++++vibes

 

[SKI-3PO]

Be nice to him @SugarCube ...at least until he heals.

 

[VickieH]

It hurts to read that. How absolutely awful.

Will keep both of you in my thoughts. Best of healing to Uncle Louie.

 

[SBrown]

Safe travels Nancy, love to both of you.

 

[Uncle Louie]

Hey everybody. It could have been much worse. The only good news is that all the broken pieces are still in place and surgery is not required. No spinal cord damage either. I'm in pretty good spirits and in a little less pain than one would expect for such a serious injury.

Thanks to those that helped me off the mountain today including the group I was with, Snowbasin's Ski Patrol and Jim and Michelle giddyup ( for driving my stuff around and safely (i think) moving my truck around. Thanks to Phil for offering to go to the hospital with me (I sent him back out skiing). Thanks too for those who have extended offers of help in the next few days when I may need it.

Glad I got to meet some of you I've only met online before in person. Nice to have met so many 1st time gatherers too and of course the regulars I see, at most, once a year.

If each of you get a chance tomorrow, just make 5 turns with a smile on your face. That was always my greatest memories from these events.

Special thanks to my amazing wife in advance for what's going to be a pretty big effort on her part in the next few weeks.

John L- I know you're thinking it and your're probably right. I should have given the usual Gathering Safety speech.

Have fun boys & girls.

 

[SKI-3PO]

Won’t be as much fun without you UL

 

[Philpug]

I was with U.L. when he went down. It was something that could happen to any of us in flat light. We were just above a cat track and Louie didn't realize the drop on the cat track was about 3 1/2 feet. BAM.

 

[KingGrump]

Safe travels and heal fast.

 

[Nancy Hummel]

Get well soon. Happy that is not more serious. Take care.

 

[Philpug]

@SugarCube sorry we broke Uncle Louie. We failed you.

 

[Tricia]

@Uncle Louie and @SugarCube we'll be happy to shift our schedules around to help out in anyway we can.

 

[Pumba]

@Uncle Louie - lots of good vibes and love to you and your family. I still consider you my first real Ski teacher and was surprised you remembered me today! We’ll make turns together sometime soon. I can now make parallel turns!



K

 

[Poolskier Vinny]

@Uncle Louie hope you heal up quick! Pilot Dan and I enjoyed meeting you and thanks for welcoming us to our first Gathering... Rest and recover!

 

[Jim McDonald]

Heal fast, UL. Sorry we didn't get to meet this time, I was looking forward to it. Next season!

 

[Pequenita]

Oh dang. I'm glad there is that silver lining regarding extent of the injury, but still what a bummer. Hope you have a seamless recovery.

 

[cosmoliu]

Best of luck to you UL. Wonderful news that it wasn't any worse. . Sorry we won't get to hike Catherine's this time around.

 

[Started at 53]

@Uncle Louie

Sorry to hear of your fall, but good to know you are in good spirits and should heal up with no surgery.

 

[James]

Sorry to hear it UL, best wishes for a quick recovery.

 

[AmyPJ]

Sorry my mountain broke you! Please take care, and be patient with your recovery! So glad to meet you at least briefly--safe travels back home. I have no doubt you'll heal well with the great attitude you possess!