[pct-l] JoAnn's latest adventure

[JoAnn M. Michael]

While hiking the pct in Castle Crags on Sunday, my dog Lacey and I had the greatest fun: the ice crystals on the ground were awesome; the park was quiet; the air cold and at about 3/4 the way through our hike, we'd seen only two other people. 

Woke that morning to 12.4 degrees with beautiful clear skies...good day for a hike. Used my free parking coupon from being associated with the Ca State Parks; headed-up the Flume Trail to the pct. Glorious day. Saw the couple where the two trails cross and we talked for a few moments, warning them of ice on rocks and on the bridge they were about to cross - they headed north on the pct, I went south.

In crossing one of the "creeklets" before Winton Bridge, I went down in the creek landing on my right side. I hit my right knee VERY hard on a submerged rock and instantly was in great pain. With the help of my hiking pole, after two tries, I made it to my feet. I hobbled out about 5 to 10 feet and the knee went out from under me. Up again, I managed to make it about another 10 feet when the whole knee felt like it was pulled apart - a feeling I never want to have again.

I drug myself into some sun; took off my wind/rain outer layer and laid it to dry; my cap was a little wet so placed it with my damp gloves also in the sun. So, there I sat, my dog licking my face and me telling her I really blew it this time; how in the hell was I going to get out to my car and my cell phone? I sat for about 30 minutes and noticed my little stream of sun light was now larger about 10 feet behind me. I dragged myself and gear over in hopes of as much heat as possible and in the process, realized the pain was no greater and maybe I could stand. After two attempts, I made it up and ever so very slowly, tested my ability to walk...it wasn't much. But my ability to shed tears was working well.

Without the hiking pole, I'd never have made it to a standing position but did and managed to "hike" (drag) on, coming across another creeklet. I walked right through the water for I could only manage the smoothest possible route, in water or out...no hopping or even going over rocks. I had managed maybe a 100 yards and then came another seasonal creek. This one had a downward slope to reach the water. In trying to analyze whether I could make it down the grade or not, my leg gave out and I went down again. 

Sat for a few minutes feeling like my knee was totally gone and I didn't know what I had been walking on. I Sat where I was and decided this was a good time and place to cry. Then, the same couple I'd seen earlier in the day came upon me. They helped me up. I tried walking for a few steps with again using my pole as a crutch and did so-so; but well enough I asked them to continue on to their car, use their cell phone and call my husband. 

They left; I was limping along again. I do not know how long or how far I went till I came to a downward trail labeled "Campground" (via the Bobs Hat Trail). Followed it down, came to where it meets a service road and continued on downward. After about an hour (+/-) a truck came slowly up the road and all I could say was "Please tell me you're here for me!". They were. They finished the drive to park headquarters, not more than a quarter mile, down to where a fire truck, ambulance, numerous local men and one terrified husband stood. At that moment I was almost more embarrassed than in pain. I found out later the couple who helped me up did call my husband and they decided the people would call 911 since they had more pertinent information as to where I was, the injury, etc.

At the hospital, x-rays determined I had separated I had pulled the ligament away from the bone. They sent me home with crutches, pain medication and orders to call the orthopedists the next day. I had my appointment today.

I had a pulled ligament with a bit of femur bone attached to it. With time, he states it'll re-attach and heal. The doctor is a trail runner; we had fun chatting about the pct (his wife does a 100 mile trail run ending?beginning? on the Tahoe Rim Trail) and he was able to understand my most ardent desire to be able to continue hiking. With time (the usual 6 weeks) and some p.t., he said it would happen. I see him again 2 weeks...so far, so good. With my 59th birthday tomorrow (the 20th) I received an early birthday and Christmas present...as bad as I screwed up in not being more careful in the first place, and, the damage I did do, it could have been worse.

Sorry to have bored you folks but you know how it is, you just gotta share a trail experience.

are we there yet