[pct-l] DEATH on trail

Wed Mar 4 11:32:54 CST 2009

I've had several people ask this question, Don.? No Way had 50 years experience hiking the Sierra, the mountain West, Scotland and Central Asia.? He had hiked 3,700 miles of PCT, completing it the previous year.? So he was no stranger to the risks out there.? 

We were having a lovely morning, having crossed the damaged bridge over Deep Creek, and were past Bacon Flats Road.? We had seen two rattlers.? We had just stopped for a "technical stop" and had a smooch.? He started off and rounded the next corner, while I fiddled with my straps.? Then I heard scrabbling rocks.? I raced around the corner and he wasn't visible.? The trail was very narrow and crumbly.? I scrambled down the cliff face clinging to the bushes, until I saw his body at the bottom of the 200 ft?cliff, near the water's edge.? I raced back down the trail to the nearest ravine, left a note, and plunged down the rocks to reach him.? Halfway down, I waved frantically?to Pinhead and his friend as they came into view on the trail.? When I reached Ray, it was obvious that he had died instantly and felt no pain.? Pinhead then made his way down to me, while his friend used their satellite phone to call for help.? 

I will never know whether it was one of those wobbly rocks, being startled by a snake, a heart attack or something else that caused him to lose his footing.? 

Since this narrative is sure to raise fear in this year's crop of hikers, I want to say that Ray was doing the one thing he loved most.? He never wanted to become old, frail and dependent.? Yes, his death was way too young.? But don't let that deter you from hiking the wilds.? Within 2 months, I was back on the trail myself, a week in Oregon.? Since then, I've logged nearly 2,000 miles (while doing all this publishing work too).? 

If you haven't met Ray, this book will give you an insight into his particular, sometimes peculiar, view of the world.? The stories are vivid, both philosophical and funny.? You'll hear his voice.

The pct-l is the best place to share these experiences, so first-timers to the trail can get a realistic view of the risks and achievements waiting for them.? One final note.? A year later, several of us want back to the accident site.? Both to remember and to break thru to the next mile on the trail, walk thru any fears.? Toast to life with a little of the finest Scotch.? As the others walked on down the trail, I noticed in the rock face exactly at the place he fell, one of those delicate apricot-colored monkey flowers in full bloom.? It was the only specimen of that flower I saw for days either side of that spot.? 

So, please come introduce yourselves to me at the Kickoff.? Let's enjoy this great life, this great trail?we have.

Stone Dancer

-----Original Message-----
From: whcrs4543 at aol.com
To: stonedancer1 at aol.com
Sent: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 9:01 am
Subject: DEATH on trail / book

I just was wondering, being a novice, what caused the man's death on the trail? 

If you have time to answer this question, I'd really like to know.

Thanks,

Don

-----Original Message-----
From: stonedancer1 at aol.com
To: pct-l at backcountry.net; bmurray at pcta.org
Sent: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 10:46 am
Subject: [pct-l] A Thru-Hiker's Heart

No Way Ray's book, A Thru-Hiker's Heart, is now ready!!!!

You're all getting excited about the beginning of hiking season.? Here's 
something to add to your anticipation.? Remember that No Way Ray was the 
thru-hiker who died on the trail near Deep Creek in 2006.? Before that, he left 
us a manuscript about hiking the trail, which he had completed over the previous 
3 years.

This is not?your miles,bugs and blisters report.? This is about the trail your 
mind travels on the PCT.? The people, the places, the AYCE buffets.? The 
exhilaration of Sierra thunderstorms, the curious desert dwellers, history, 
geology, mind storms, and delight.? And a quirky humor.? See who's mentioned.? 
Great pictures.

$18.95 plus S/H etc.? See more at www.tuolumnepress.com 

We'll be at both Trail Fest and the Kickoff.? PLUS? the PCTA will have the book 
in their on-line store shortly.? 

I'm so excited to bring this book to our hiking community.? I'll be out on the 
trail myself in OR-WA this year.? See you there.

Stone Dancer

Tuolumne Press
209-742-6963

P.S.? Special thanks to our "Book Angels":?? Liz Bergeron, Brenda Murray, and 
the PCTA staff, Pinhead, Meadow Ed, Squatch, Yogi,?Susan Alcorn,?and Firefly?
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