http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27078176/
As the season changes more caution is needed. But good preparation is key.
As the season changes more caution is needed. But good preparation is key.
Rescue crews carry out injured hiker
- Thread starter carole
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SAR-EMT40
Well-known member
I have to say that nothing impresses me more than 70 y/o female bushwhackers. 
I wonder if these two were the ones I met once on Lincoln Brook trail out by Owls head. I was solo and talked with them for about 5 minutes because frankly I never saw women this old this far from a trailhead and was a little worried that they were in over their heads. They stated they had intentions of climbing owls head. It didn't take long talking with them to realize they really knew what the hell they were doing. They were both well equipped and experienced and seemed knowledgeable. I was very impressed with both of them and frankly prayed that when I was their age I would still be out hiking the kinds of hikes that they were.
I hope she recovers fully and has many, many more years of bushwhacking.
Keith
I wonder if these two were the ones I met once on Lincoln Brook trail out by Owls head. I was solo and talked with them for about 5 minutes because frankly I never saw women this old this far from a trailhead and was a little worried that they were in over their heads. They stated they had intentions of climbing owls head. It didn't take long talking with them to realize they really knew what the hell they were doing. They were both well equipped and experienced and seemed knowledgeable. I was very impressed with both of them and frankly prayed that when I was their age I would still be out hiking the kinds of hikes that they were.
I hope she recovers fully and has many, many more years of bushwhacking.
Keith
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una_dogger
Well-known member
That's a remote area for sure...does anyone here know her??
Hope she gets well soon and can get back into the mountains to complete her NHHH!
Hope she gets well soon and can get back into the mountains to complete her NHHH!
Jabberwalk
New member
Yes, I know her, and she is really incredible. We have been hiking together off and on for about 6 years. After hiking everything in site in Maine, and the Long Trail, she decided to tackle NH at the age of 63, and we found each other on top of Eisenhower. On Monday we headed off for Huntington a little ways (200 yards???) past the height of land on the Hancock Notch Trail. The b/w to the peak was difficult but uneventful, and we managed to summit pretty much at the right spot by the new sign and the cannister. We had a little bit of snow for our lunchtime pleasure, and decided to try for the So. peak too. Made it over there and found the can in about 45 minutes. Then we headed for home. This was a bit more challenging for me (the navigator) since I couln't just "reverse" the compass. It was a triangle. But we had sight of So. Hancock and knew that the trail was somewhere down there.
Dot (aka Hufflepuff) fell at about 3:30 and refused to let me go for help. I had a cell phone but no service. She tried to scoot on her butt - but you can't bushwack on your butt! So, I had to leave her at 4pm. I took a compass bearing so I could get back but, unfortunately came upon the Notch trail at the height of land where it is partly on rocks and in a stream, and doesn't look like a stream at all. A bit of panic on my part as I wandered back and forth on the compass line. Finally, I just headed due west, and eventually made it to the Cedar Brook trail. It took me two hours to get back to the car.
The rescue people were absolutely incredible. Cheerful, efficient, knowledgeable and caring. We really owe a debt of gratitude, esp. to the volunteers who help out at all hours. Dot and I will both make a donation to them and to Fish and Game.
Dot was well prepared with a space blanket, plenty of water, food and a headlamp. Even still she was very cold when we found her because she couldn't move around much and the rescue crew didn't get to her until about 10:30 or 11pm. It takes many hours, I found out, to launch a serious rescue: assembling the crew, obtaining enough info for a rough gps location, assigning duties, and then hiking with all the gear 3 miles into the woods. Even with my fumbling around finding the Notch trail, I am happy to report that the crew were able to find Dot fairly quickly once we got the the height of land.
The worst thing is that she is going to have to tackle that peak again. But, at least we will know where we are going the next time!
Betsy
Dot (aka Hufflepuff) fell at about 3:30 and refused to let me go for help. I had a cell phone but no service. She tried to scoot on her butt - but you can't bushwack on your butt! So, I had to leave her at 4pm. I took a compass bearing so I could get back but, unfortunately came upon the Notch trail at the height of land where it is partly on rocks and in a stream, and doesn't look like a stream at all. A bit of panic on my part as I wandered back and forth on the compass line. Finally, I just headed due west, and eventually made it to the Cedar Brook trail. It took me two hours to get back to the car.
The rescue people were absolutely incredible. Cheerful, efficient, knowledgeable and caring. We really owe a debt of gratitude, esp. to the volunteers who help out at all hours. Dot and I will both make a donation to them and to Fish and Game.
Dot was well prepared with a space blanket, plenty of water, food and a headlamp. Even still she was very cold when we found her because she couldn't move around much and the rescue crew didn't get to her until about 10:30 or 11pm. It takes many hours, I found out, to launch a serious rescue: assembling the crew, obtaining enough info for a rough gps location, assigning duties, and then hiking with all the gear 3 miles into the woods. Even with my fumbling around finding the Notch trail, I am happy to report that the crew were able to find Dot fairly quickly once we got the the height of land.
The worst thing is that she is going to have to tackle that peak again. But, at least we will know where we are going the next time!
Betsy
p2piper
New member
How serious is her injury? I sure hope it heals quickly. I'm a 53 year old hiker - I really hope I can still do it like Dot at 69!!!
p2
p2
SAR-EMT40
Well-known member
Jabberwalk said:
Also, I didn't mean to imply that you ladies were old. I am certain that she was the one that I met and you probably were the other. I remember her telling me about the hikes on the LT and other regional hikes. I'm sure it had to be her.
I really wish her a speedy recovery and she obviously picked her friends well. It was a pleasure talking with you that day.
Keith
Jabberwalk
New member
Keith, Dot and I did hike together to Owl's Head (July of 05), so that might tell you if it was, indeed, us you met! One of the things we love best about hiking is the people we meet. Nothing but the best out in the woods. I am a 'young' 59 y/o hiker, and Dot's husband is certainly glad that we met, because she used to hike alone. No one wanted to go where she wanted to. She is an inspiration to me!
How serious is the injury?? (P2) Not as bad as we feared. Nothing is broken (probably because she walks 4/5 miles everyday year round), but likely a sprained knee. She has only had an xray - no MRI yet. She is just thankful that the accident happened at the end of the hiking season, so she can be ready to go next spring.
Betsy
How serious is the injury?? (P2) Not as bad as we feared. Nothing is broken (probably because she walks 4/5 miles everyday year round), but likely a sprained knee. She has only had an xray - no MRI yet. She is just thankful that the accident happened at the end of the hiking season, so she can be ready to go next spring.
Betsy
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SAR-EMT40
Well-known member
Jabberwalk said:
Absolutely. I was trying to remember when it was and around 3 years ago sounds right. I can't tell you how apprehensive I was initially talking to the two of you because of my concern and how big a smile I had walking away knowing that there was nothing to worry about. I can’t tell you how impressed I was with the two of you. That conversation really does stick in my mind. It is definitely one of my top 10.
Great to hear that her injury might not be too bad and that she didn't make it worse trying to get out by toughing it out. Sprained knee isn’t going to be a piece of cake either though.
It really was my pleasure meeting the two of you.
Keith
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Kevin Rooney
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Jabberwalk said:
If you ever get hooked on winter hiking, you'll view the start of winter as the beginning of the BEST hiking season!
una_dogger
Well-known member
Excellent job, Betsy. You are a true trail angel.
Somehow I have a feeling Dot will be back out on/and off the trails in no time.
Somehow I have a feeling Dot will be back out on/and off the trails in no time.
Jabberwalk
New member
Kevin Rooney said:If you ever get hooked on winter hiking, you'll view the start of winter as the beginning of the BEST hiking season!
I am trying to maintain my sanity! But, I did venture out a couple of times last year. Still need to acquire the appropriate gear.
Jabberwalk
New member
SAR-EMT40 said:
You just made my day!
If you REALLY get hooked on winter hiking you will view the start of winter as the beginning of the REAL hiking season.Kevin Rooney said:If you ever get hooked on winter hiking, you'll view the start of winter as the beginning of the BEST hiking season!
You only really hike in winter; the rest of the year you are training for the coming winter
Kevin Rooney
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Mohamed Ellozy said:If you REALLY get hooked on winter hiking you will view the start of winter as the beginning of the REAL hiking season.
You only really hike in winter; the rest of the year you are training for the coming winter
Well put, Mohamed!
Of course, truth be known, it's all good. Just some is better than others.
ctsparrow
New member
I'm glad to hear all ended well...i took a WFA course in August and it is quite enlightening as to the amount of time required for a rescue, both getting in and carrying out. Coming out they say plan on an hour per .5 miles for a full carry, and as demonstrated by this rescue 3-4 hours to assemble and get even lead rescuers in. Carrying a foam closed cell mat is highly reccommended as it helps keep the persons body heat from escaping into the ground if they are sitting a long time, or can make an awesome splint to immobilize for an attempt at gimping out....i carry one all the time now that i know better than to not carry one, as i hike with my son which increases my level of responsibility, they weigh basically nothing, and as daylight and temperatures drop, their value increases...ctsparrow
TrishandAlex
New member
ct sparrow, a foam closed-cell mat is one thing I do NOT have -- and thank you for suggesting it, I am going to go out and get one tomorrow morning.
DougPaul
Well-known member
The new blue foam pads (eg http://www.rei.com/product/374053 ) are flimsier and not as good as the old ones, but if doubled or tripled can make an adequate magazine splint. (I have used one of the old ones to stabilize a knee with a severed ligament. The victim was able to walk out on it (with helpers).)ctsparrow said:
When I had my BC skiing accident, I had a 2ft square sit pad. It was OK because I could sit up, but a full length pad would have been required if I hadn't been able to sit up. I'll be carrying a full length pad in the future... (I simply line a large internal-frame pack with it--the pack looks huge, but the pad doesn't weigh much.)
Keeping the victim warm, including insulating him from the ground/ice/snow, is top priority in cold-weather accidents. Cold greatly increases the chance of shock.
Doug
J.Dub
Active member
When I attended a SOLO WFA class this past April, I had the same takeaways about the time required for a rescue as well as the sleeping pad idea.
Rather than a closed cell pad, however, I carry a 3/4-length Thermarest. By folding it in half lengthwise before rolling it up, it packs down to not much bigger than the size of a Nalgene bottle, so it's easy to toss into my hiking daypack or climbing pack. Granted it wouldn't be as useful as the closed-cell foam for an emergecy splint, and it costs a lot more than the blue pads. Speaking of which...
@DougPaul - Not to diss REI (God knows how much I spend at that place every year), but for the blue closed cell mats, WallyMart had 'em for something like $8 bucks. Stoopid cheap!
DougPaul
Well-known member
Yes, I have seen them and even have a similar pad from Target. The REI product ($16 for the regular size) appears to be a higher quality foam, but I haven't done any formal tests.
<soapbox on>
Used to be able to get foam pads in 1/2 inch thickness for winter use. Everyone seems to sell only 3/8 inch pads now. (The REI 24x24 inch sit pad is 1/2 inch thick, I suppose one could buy three and tape them together...)
<soapbox off>
Doug
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