RRC Archives

What a ride. The surgeon pulled things back into place and recovery is in process. I really would like to tell you guys that a helmet is a must have in my book now. All the time. It would have been a lot worse.
Something I learned in the last few days is that it matters what you say. I know that my life insurance would have covered me, maybe. But more importantly the health insurance and the disability insurance would definitely frown if I had been climbing instead of hiking. I think I will make a full recovery but I would alert those who believe in your own immortality that you can not ignore it forever. I have awoken to the fact that this accident has affected my colleages at work, the work load on my wife, and it is just a bitch not to be able to get up and go the rest room with such a struggle. All of us out there are proud of our body and what we have trained it to do. I don't want any of you to quit but do be aware that shit happens. Be careful and realize the value of risk management in what we do.
...By the way. The copperheads out at global village are pretty cool. They were really tolerant of us there. I went out off trail to relieve myself and in midstream, the one in the rotten log I was standing on decided to bolt. Scared the rest of the piss right out of me. But he just moved on out.
I'm glad that I didn't see any on the crawl out back to the car.

Dwayne and I were standing in some leaves looking up at a possible route when I glanced down and saw one curled up about a foot away from my leg. It was so unexpected it scared the crap out of me. He was all curled up good to strike. So if any of you go to check out that boulder problem Ray was talking about watch for him on the backside of that boulder. He blends in the leaves perfectly.
E, I know what you mean about struggling to get to the bathroom.It was a problem.
Usually I would get there get it over and colapse in the floor before I got back to the sofa. At least I was crawling around at home tho. Pad those crutches with towels and dont get em tangled in the furniture while you're moving.

How many others out there have hurt themselves and come back to this sport? Ynot , it sounds like you had been on the crutches a while. Was this due to a climbing related thing or was it something else?

I keep evaluating wheather or not this is something I should return to or is it better for all involved for me not to. I really like being out there and giving things a shot. There is no thrill greater than going up. It is a reason to stay in shape for preformance. I get a rush being at work and thinking/ re-living that experience of the last struggle up. That adrenaline level with such a great experience is an addictive thing. Yeah, I love it, but will I be so lucky next time ? I'll bet there isn't a trad climber out there that has never set a questionable piece.

By the way, thank you all for your good wishes. It nice to have some support from the tribe.

So what happened?

My family might be depending on my disability insurance kicking in in another month if I can't get back to work. They would not give me a dime if I had been climbing. That is a really scary thought. I'll tell you what happened. I slipped on a slippery banana peel that some monkey left on the trail.

Damn monkey kong

hmmmmmm........so your recommend wearing your climbing helmet while hiking as well???? Since thats how you got hurt?? I bet everyone will jump on that bus with you........Get well soon