Climber who fell over 100 feet from mountain in the Highlands determined to tackle ridge again

A climber who fell over 100 feet from a mountain in the Highlands says he is lucky to be alive after escaping with just minor injuries and now wants to tackle the ridge again.

Thirteen volunteers from Skye Mountain Rescue team were called to Sgurr nan Eag in the Cullin mountain range on the island on March 19 after Erik Krasovskis fell.

The 28-year-old was attempting to traverse the ridge but took a tumbling fall of around 35 to 40m after the weight of his backpack pulled him down.

He was knocked unconscious during the fall but stopped on a ledge just before another significant drop.

Erik says he is lucky to be alive, but the brush with death has not quashed his appetite for climbing and hiking.

He told STV News: “I remember most of the fall, but I was unconscious for two minutes as I hit my head.

“I remember trying to catch anything I could after the backpack pulled me to the side but there was nothing.

“After hitting my head, I was knocked out. The next thing I know I wake up at the bottom and I could hear my friend shouting on me, asking if I was okay.

“I did not feel any pain while falling. I didn’t have any fear either, I don’t think I realised what was happening.

“When I regained consciousness after the fall I said to my friend ‘I’m ready to go’ because I didn’t realise how far I fell.

“It felt like a metre to me.”

Erik broke some of his fingers, but had his stitches removed on Thursday and says he doesn’t have any long-term injuries.

Erik Krasovskis fell near the peak Sgurr nan Eag in the Cullin mountain range. Erik Krasovskis

He added: “I was very lucky and I don’t really have any problems now. I’m still recovering, my body is aching.

“My head is totally fine, today I had my stitches removed and it has healed well.

“I can’t thank everyone enough – the mountain rescue team and the doctors at the hospital – they were amazing.

“I’m alive, safe and healthy. They did a brilliant job.”

The videographer is planning to tackle the same peak again, but says he’ll have more to consider this time.

He said: “It hasn’t changed my thoughts about climbing. It wasn’t so much about the skill, it was an accident.

“I’m not feeling afraid to go again, yes I have to take more precautions and be more careful with how much equipment I take.

“As soon as I’m fully recovered, I would love to try and take the same ridge on again and complete it.”

Highlands & Islands

Climber knocked out after falling over 100 feet from mountain

The man attempting to traverse a ridge fell around 35m after misjudging a handhold.

Skye MRT said on Facebook last week: “The team were in action today for our first Cuillin rescue of the year.

“Thirteen team members responded after a climber, attempting a traverse of the ridge as part of a pair, took a tumbling fall of around 35 to 40m near Sgurr nan Eag after misjudging a handhold.

“He was knocked unconscious during the fall but, incredibly, stopped on a ledge just before another large drop, escaping with relatively minor injuries considering the distance he fell.

“Rescue 948 from Stornoway uplifted two team members to the scene, where they assisted the winchman/paramedic in treating the casualty before he was flown to Raigmore Hospital.

“A huge thank you to the crew of the helicopter and to passersby David and Jodhi, who provided first aid and helped carry kit off the hill back to Glenbrittle.”

An HM Coastguard spokesperson said: “At around 10.39am (Wednesday, March 19), HM Coastguard received reports of a casualty with a head injury at Cullin Hills, Isle of Skye.

“Skye Mountain Rescue Team, Inverness Coastguard Rescue Team and an HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter were called, and the casualty was put into the care of Scottish Ambulance Service.”