The wall has no established trail leading to it and the shadow of its 850-foot north wall harbors the last permanent snow field in North Idaho. The lack of deliberate action from either the USAF or WSP caused any potential air rescue to be a night flight, which was untenable given the technology at the time. The operations went well, but Sather’s leg would never be the same. In 1977, bureaucracy almost killed a 29-year-old, but his story accelerated the development of rescue protocol across the Inland Northwest. Thankfully, today air rescue is available but is not a substitute for competence, preparedness and the willingness to hold yourself accountable.