[pct-l] Dangerous ford near Lava Spring (40 miles south of White Pass) puts at least 2 thru hikers off the trail

[Piroska Balogh]

Hi all,

I'm really sorry to hear about Ladybug getting hurt at the Lava  
Spring ford. I can only imagine how frustrated she must be. Like  
other athletes, we long distance hikers face debilitating injuries  
that cut short our dreams. I'm grateful to the PCT-L because it gives  
all of us to learn from other hikers experiences both good and bad.

I'm only an Oregon and Washington section hiker but have found that  
both on the PCT and elsewhere, fording a steam (I use hiking poles)  
and getting wet feet is generally safer than crossing on logs. Of  
course, there are exceptions like the Suiattle that is too deep to  
ford but if a stream is under butt deep, I'll ford it instead of  
risking a log crossing. Logs are always tempting because staying dry  
is more comfortable especially when its cold but I've found that wet  
feet are not so bad and can even feel refreshing after a long day of  
hiking. I forded everything except the Suiattle and another stream  
that I can't remember the name of in the Glacier Peak unmaintained  
section this last August. Yeah, I had wet feet for 3 days but they  
would have been wet anyway from the wet brush and overall, I think I  
stayed safer because I didn't risk walking across logs, except for  
the one stream (I butt slid the Suiattle log). This isn't a criticism  
of Ladybug's decisions (or anyone else) who has hiked farther than I  
have on the PCT, just my 2 cents on my own trail experience.

Last Cookie

> Carl,
>
> Given that Ladybug has shared this in her on-line journal I think  
> it can be shared on this list.  She did not break her ankle at this  
> ford.  She broke both the tibia and fibula in her leg.  She has a  
> total of 13 different breaks and was scheduled to have surgery this  
> morning.  She posted a note in her journal of the rescue operation  
> and the amazing support she received from her fellow thru-hikers.
>
> I am very sad that this amazing woman is off the trail again this  
> year.  This is two years in a row that injury has cut her journey  
> short of her goal.
>
> Elevator
>
> -------------- Original message --------------
> From: "carl myhill" <carl at litsl.com>
>
>> There is a small muddy ford with a log across it just south of  
>> Lava Spring
>> (South of Goat Rocks). It looks a bit sketchy. As you cross it, if  
>> you have
>> poles you will notice they go very deep, which puts you off  
>> balance. It's
>> not easy and the alternative is a thigh-deep ford.
>>
>> I'm sorry to spread around other people's business but I heard  
>> Ladybug broke
>> her ankle at this ford just before I got there (that would be late  
>> last
>> week). I was talking to Amtrak today and he too sprained his ankle  
>> there and
>> is now off the trail.
>>
>> I don't know if the PCT Organization can do anything about things  
>> like this
>> but it is clearly dangerous. I thought it worth posting here as a  
>> bit of a
>> warning. This is passable by all means but be careful and be aware  
>> that at
>> least 2 thru-hikers have been cut short here.
>>
>> Carl
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