On January 18, 2023, Samantha and her backcountry partners met at the top of Donner Summit with the intention of skiing the Heart Chute. While navigating down the chute, Samantha got her skis stuck and double ejected.  She was able to grab ahold of a tree to slow her momentum before being swept off the cliff and falling 40′ to her back, resulting in a SCI L1-L4 and several other injuries.

Samantha is a talented photographer and private contractor.