Day 2 of the Three Passes route on the West Coast of New Zealand began as a beautiful, sunny day. I was traveling solo, climbing up and over the second pass, and everything seemed to be going well.
At higher altitude, the conditions changed quickly. The weather closed in, and continuing across the snow field became too dangerous. I made the decision to stop, turn back, and avoid pushing on into worsening conditions.

As I began making my way back, fog settled over the area. The rock became wet and slippery, and the narrow, steep track became much more difficult to traverse. Then, in a single moment, everything changed.

My foot slipped. I tried to catch my balance, but it was too late. I fell roughly 50 to 80 meters down a rock face, crashing multiple times on the way down. When I finally came to a stop, I had to wedge my body against a large rock to prevent myself from falling any further.

Once I was secure enough to move, I focused on the most important thing I could do. I activated my beacon to get help on the way.

As I waited for rescue, I was injured, exposed, and alone. I had several broken bones and significant lacerations, but I knew help was on its way.

The rescue was a major operation. It took two rescue teams and involved five helicopters to get me safely to hospital.

I am alive, recovering, and incredibly grateful. My beacon got the help I needed when I could not get myself out. In that moment, it made the difference between being stranded alone on the mountain and surviving.