Stephan is so unlucky and so very lucky too. Too bad about his injury but how fortunate he was to run into you three guys...if I were in trouble on a mountain trail I can't think of three better people to run into than you three.
I do not know who the girls are that gave him shelter but if they are reading this I want to say THANK YOU FOR DOING THE HUMANE THING YOU DID and to those guys who did not help him I do not have anything nice to say. I have seen people in bad shape or just cold and I always offer them to share my tent...rest for a while...share my food or water or give them a spare headlamp etc. If you are going to hike mountain trails you need to be ready and willing to help others in need just like the captain of a ship would offer to another ship in trouble.
I like to go to Harbor Freight and Tool to pick up inexpensive headlamps and flashlights so I can carry an extra in case of an emergency. I have had to give my extra headlamp ...extra water and extra food to a young man near the summit of El Capitan because he wasn't smart enough to bring his own supplies plus it was late afternoon and it got dark early.
Thank you for sharing your trip report. You guys were smart to turn around since the weather was not the best for an enjoyable time. I love mid September for hiking Mt. Whitney.
