On Aug. 25, former Tahoe local Brittanie Shepherd fell 70 feet while climbing in Smith Rock State Park, Oregon. According to rescuers, Shepherd lost her footing on the trail, and at first only fell a short distance — but the backpack she was carrying was filled with climbing gear and it ended up pulling her over a ledge that dropped another 60 feet. Local search and rescue teams and the Redmond Fire Department responded to the scene and the fire department crew rappelled to Shepherd’s location and began treating her. It took a crew of 26 people (18 personnel from local search and rescue teams alone) four hours to rescue Shepherd. She is currently recovering from a shattered talus bone, fractured lower back, and skull fracture, among other smaller injuries, at her mother’s house in Bend and is very thankful to those who participated in the rescue. Her love of the outdoors, adventures and climbing remains unbroken.
Like many of her generation, Shepherd does not have health insurance. Her brother Ash started a fundraising website to help pay for hospital costs and physical therapy bills, as well as rent while she is out of work. To donate, please visit TheBrittFund.com or the Britt Recovery Fund on Facebook. If you cannot afford to donate, please just send positive thoughts and energy her way.
