yeah, I thought it took a long time.of course we don't know how their setup/process was at that time. they might not have had a loose end of the rope to drop. they could have both been tied in and had the rope(s) through the anchor already tied together, their belay devices on the back of their harnesses and perhaps a spare locker not immediately handy. I would guess that they were probably NOT on a gear anchor in that slush!
whew - imagine how they would have felt if they had watched the guy go for a ride right in front of them? alls well that ends well tho...
