American Snowmobiler – October 2019

M A R K E T P L A C E

October 2019 • 63

until the sun is high in the sky and tem-

peratures warm throughout the day.

Nielsen headed up a line between the

steep cliffs almost to the top. It wasn’t

until he turned around to come down

that he knew he was in trouble. The

snow was still frozen. It was a north-fac-

ing slope, hard and slick without after-

noon sun. To make it down the hill safe-

ly, he needed to get to the line he had

taken on his climb. However, with the

slick conditions it was impossible to

sidehill back and the contour of the

mountain forced him into a

different line above a tall

cliff band.

Moving quickly, and

with little control, Nielsen

remembers seeing a pine

tree that was partially

fallen and hoped the

obstacle would stop him

from plummeting off the

cliff. As he neared the obstruction, he

realized it was at head level. His helmet

took the full force of the collision, his

eyes rolled to the back of his head and he

forgot everything that happened later

that week, except for the whooshing

rotors of the helicopter that rescued him.

Nielsen’s companions were horrified.

Cody Bennet, just a teenager, remembers

the fear of watching his friend hit the

tree, and then standing helpless as both

sled and body fell from the cliff hitting a

rock at the bottom.

His companions raced to Nielsen’s

HIS BACK WAS BROKEN IN

SEVERAL PLACES, BUT

MOST ALARMING, A

SPINAL BREAK AT T12

aid. He was writhing, moaning and inco-

herent. They knew his injuries were life-

threatening so sent Clawson down the

canyon for help.

Nielsen was flown to Logan Regional

Hospital, only a

5-10-minute flight from

the accident scene. But

he needed more help than

they could provide, so he

was rushed 70 miles to

Salt Lake City. Nielsen had

a broken hip, which

required a metal plate and

ball. His back was broken in

several places, but the most alarming

injury was in the middle of his back, a spi-

nal break at T12. Doctors were clear,

Nielsen would not walk again.

■ (^) Fierce indepencence
An outdoorsman to the core, Nielsen
fought this diagnosis and refused defeat
for months. In the end he was forced to
come to terms with his condition.
Although saddened, he did not grapple
with depression like many others with
similar injuries. Instead, Nielsen found
creative ways to enjoy the things he loved.
For years after, and with the designing
expertise of his friend Val Simmons, he
rode a custom-built sled. Four-wheeling
was also a favorite pastime, and while
could no longer hunt in the backcountry
by walking, he continued to hunt from
the road and has shot some massive tro-
phy deer on public land.
Nielsen’s fierce independence and det-
ermination to continue to be outdoors has
served him well, although it hasn’t been
easy. Several years after his accident he
was in a four-wheeler crash that broke his
pelvis, causing internal bleeding. The
extent of his injuries was unknown until
that evening when he was rushed to the
hospital, again, where he nearly died.
Despite the injuries, Nielsen continues
to prove doctors wrong with his ability to
accomplish what he desires: blowing past
his 20-year life expectancy three years ago
and continuing to take care of his small
farm. His wife, Ruby, knew there was no
stopping him when there was something
that he wanted to do, and his two grown
children and three grandkids have learned
to never underestimate him.
STILL FARMING
Robert Nielsen
continues to do
many of the
things he enjoyed
before his
accident,
including farming.
Chippewa Falls, WI
715-723-9377
715-723-9344
[email protected]

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