Reidun Kvåle broke both legs on summit trip number 100 – NRK Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio

100 summit tours over 2,000 meters before Reidun turned 60 was the goal she set herself. And on Saturday, a year behind due to previous injury, the milestone was finally to be celebrated.

Instead, Saturday’s summit trip ended with a breezy hitchhike to Lillehammer hospital.

Boulders dislodged

On the way up to the top, the group of four people and two dogs balanced over some large rocks. It soon became clear that the stones were not as stable as Reidun thought.

One of the stones came loose, and fell headfirst towards one of the dogs.

– But she slipped away, so I got it straight.

The stone rolled on, but Reidun was left behind.

– Then I immediately realized that both my legs were broken and destroyed.

Fjuken mentioned the case first.

Had to find phone coverage

Reidun’s eldest daughter, who was there, called 113 – as soon as she got mobile coverage.

She just had to go higher up the mountain.

Meanwhile, Reidun’s husband tried to look after her as best he could.

– I had an open fracture, and was bleeding from the calf. So he took snow inside some cloth and pressed against it, so that it was more or less stopped.

She herself did not notice the pain, because she was full of adrenaline, she believes.

– But I was very afraid that they would touch my legs, because I thought it was not so good.

– No no no

When the air ambulance arrived, it was all woken up by the youngest stepdaughter.

Because she too was on a summit trip – on the neighboring mountain.

– We saw the helicopter and thought about whether we should go over and help. But there were a lot of people in the area, so we thought we’d wait a bit and see if anything else happened. Then it didn’t take many minutes before my sister called me and said it was my mother who was injured, says youngest daughter Ragnhild Kvåle Olstad.

“Father!”, and “No, no, no!” feed through her head before she strapped on her skis to rush over to mom.

Grateful for the air ambulance

Reidun is now in Lillehammer hospital and is well cared for, she says.

The fractures are stabilized with steel pins through the shins, and she will undergo one more operation where plates and screws will be applied.

She cannot praise the healthcare staff highly enough, from the air ambulance to the trauma team at the hospital.

– There were all professional groups, both radiographers and orthopedists and senior doctors and… I don’t know what they were all for. They stood up for me and did exactly what they were supposed to do. It was absolutely fantastic to experience.

Important marking

And even though Reidun did not complete her 100th ascent, she has not given up hope.

– 100 tops was a goal I set for myself, which I had to reach before I turned 60.

Unfortunately, Reidun injured herself a few years ago, which gave her an extra year to collect tops. In addition, there was the oldest dog Izzie (10.5), who has taken part in more than 50 summit tours, despite her age.

– She could have been hit by the stone, but got away just fine. I’m glad about that, because the helicopter probably wouldn’t have “just” picked her up.

Now Reidun hopes she will get back on her feet. And – eventually – enjoying Baileys and chocolate cake on a mountain top.

– That is my greatest wish.