Join Gabe's Rope Team to Recovery!

This is a fundraiser for Gabe Dobson, pictured on the right with his 2 best friends above.

On April 1, 2023 Gabe fell approximately 60 feet while lead climbing on ice on the China Wear climb at Caribou Creek. Gabe and his teammates were training to climb the Cassin Ridge on Denali. These young men have climbed all over Alaska and beyond together, but unfortunately, tragedy struck their team on China Wear.

While leading, Gabe fell near the top of the steepest section of the route. Fortunately, the screw he had placed broke the fall, but only just shy of his belayer, who was situated on a shelf at the base of the second pitch. His harness broke the fall, but also fractured his pelvis in 3 places. The subsequent arching of his body, close to the base of the climb, resulted in him hitting the back of his head on the ice after a very high fall.

Gabe was knocked immediately unconscious. His team acted quickly and rigged a rescue system to safely lower his unconscious body to the river. That is when the seizing began, which continued until pararescuers from the 210th Air National Guardsmen 212th Rescue Squadron arrived in an HH-60G Pave Hawk Helicopter. Gabe was transported to Providence Hospital, where he was immediately intubated and in critical condition.

Over the course of the next 2 days, under the expert care of incredible medical professionals, Gabe began to dramatically improve and a trickle of good news was received, First, we learned there was no bleed in his brain, which was quite remarkable given what was initially expected based on the distance of the fall and his condition at the scene. Secondly, there was no obvious spinal cord injury, another very welcome bit of news.

By the 2nd day in the hospital, he was able to be extubated and by the third day, he regained consciousness. He has steadily improved and quite dramatically since the accident.

However, there remains a long road ahead for Gabe and his family. Now 25 days since the accident, today he is finally being discharged from the hospital.

Many have asked how they can help. Expenses are of course mounting, compounded by Gabe's inability to work for some time. Gabe faces not only physical and mental recovery, but many life expenses that he would typically need to pay for through working, including an outstanding tuition bill. This campaign has been initiated with the blessing of his family and 100% of the proceeds will go directly to them to help offset the costs involved with Gabe's recovery and loss of work.

If you are able to help, it would be greatly appreciated. Gabe, his family and his climbing team are forever grateful to the State Patrol officers who responded, the pararescuers who expertly evacuated him and the medical team who have cared for him at the hospital. Thank you to all who have rendered prayers on Gabe's behalf as well as thoughtfulness to his family.

Thank you everyone. Please feel free to share this.