A 46-year-old Durango man injured in a climbing accident Saturday faces a long road to recovery.
Andy Albosta was climbing with a partner in Cascade Canyon when he fell about 50 feet. He suffered internal bleeding, a broken pelvis and a fractured elbow in the fall.
San Juan County Search and Rescue, assisted by La Plata County Search and Rescue, retrieved Albosta sometime after 5 p.m. Saturday. He was flown to University of New Mexico Hospital and placed in the intensive-care unit.
Attempts to reach San Juan County Search and Rescue on Wednesday for more information about the accident were unsuccessful.
Albosta’s wife, Elise, said he has undergone four surgeries for extensive injuries, and has more ahead of him.
“When he got to the hospital, he had emergency surgery to stop internal bleeding,” she said. “They took him back in for surgery on Monday, and had to remove his spleen. He also had some intestinal damage, but that appears to be healing on its own.”
She said he is “getting better” and is in and out of consciousness.
“He is awake right now and alert,” Elise Albosta said. “They had him sedated the first three days because he was in so much pain.”
Albosta works as an electrician, and the pair have two young daughters. He is a veteran climber with more than 30 years of experience and is a member of La Plata County Search and Rescue.
Elise Albosta said her husband was scheduled for surgery Wednesday afternoon to repair multiple breaks in his pelvis.
“We are very lucky he will walk again, but it will be months before it’s even a possibility,” she said.
Elise Albosta was at her husband’s bedside round-the-clock. Their children are expected to return to school next week.
A family friend created a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for Albosta’s medical bills. As of Wednesday afternoon, the campaign had collected more than $11,000.
Elise Albosta said she is “overwhelmed” by the community’s response to her husband’s accident.
“It is so wonderful,” she said. “A good friend of mine took the reins and has been taking care of everything. We have insurance, but there is no perfect insurance, and I can’t imagine the cost of this. When we finally bring him home, they want him in a care facility for a while.”
Albosta will likely remain in the hospital for weeks before he is cleared to return home, Elise Albosta said.
mrupani@durangoherald.com
