[pct-l] Watch for falling trees

[AsABat]

Speaking of downed trees, one of my scariest moments was a short break while climbing the snow up Baden Powell. We heard a small crack, then a small creak, then a few louders ones until we noticed a large tree about al1 100 yards away fall to the ground. 

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-----Original Message-----
From: "Ray Drasher" <rjranch at gotsky.com>

Date: Tue, 12 May 2009 11:48:04 
To: susan<woodswitch at hughes.net>
Cc: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Horse incident


Sorry to hear of this ACCIDENT,by the time you return I will have section
D cleared of trees. That said I have to say even if cleared the following
week another one may fall in some areas that could block the trail again.
Last year I was at Mount Burnham and cleared the trail and the following
week I had reports of trees down and had to go back andclear 4 more trees.
The only thing you can do is get reports and then still proceed with
caution and watch for obstacles as you go. I go with a mule or two behind
me and sometimes it is real difficult to get out of a bad spot. I have had
and know friends that have lost horses of the trail, one lost two the same
day, so as they say sometimes crap happens and we do the best we can to
prevent it.
Ray




> To everyone who has concern for Port and me...we are going to be fine.
> Port
> has swollen bruises all over his neck and back, me the same, but we both
> seem to be okay. I am resting Port for a few days then taking him back
> home
> to fully recover. At the point of fall, there was a huge tree across the
> trail at a narrow ledge with no possibility of my tiny saw cutting it.
> Actually my saw looked like a toy next to it. We tried to back up and Port
> lost his footing taking us both down a 50' slide, the slide was surreal,
> we
> kind of floated in the scree and really weren't hurt badly (I did push 911
> on my Spot because I "knew" I must be hurt after that) but quickly found
> that we both had been cushioned by the scree. I reset the Spot locator to
> say "I'm okay" and then tried to build a path back up on the other side of
> the tree but the talus was just too big and unstable (we were luckily on a
> shelf which was secure) I asked Port to try to climb out on top of the
> talus
> and he willing followed me. About 10 feet from the top he fell over
> backwards and crashed violently back to the shelf. Miraculously, he was
> only
> dazed. I rebuilt the footing to what looked like a possible escape for
> Port
> and asked him once again. He trusted me again and willing tried. Again he
> fell over backwards. This time he hit his head and I thought he was a
> goner.
> But, somehow he got up shaking his head and then his whole body. I prayed
> that I hadn't taken this great horse to his death, but it seemed that he
> was
> hurt but okay. He had blood on both hind legs, but otherwise appeared
> shaken. I knew then that I was going to do something different. I remember
> reading about a vet who developed a sling along with UC Davis for just
> this
> type of accident and they had great success in extracting horses from
> ravines. I vowed to Port he would fly out and not be subject to more
> injuries. So I climbed out leaving a note that I was going for help.
> Climbing from 6900 feet to 7300 probably the fastest in history, I found
> my
> husband and got my ON Star to find Dr. Madden who immediately agreed to
> extract Port the following day. Port was to be safe, with no more
> injuries.
> With this I returned to the trail head to get food and water to Port to
> last
> the night and I found to my absolute astonishment that Port had been
> brought
> out by a group of hikers. They had followed the instructions of a fellow
> hiker from Italy who was a rider/horseman for years and with the team
> effort
> got Port out. Although I was not going to chance it again with Port, they
> had no way to know about the helicopter arrangements I had made and their
> compassion was admirable and I appreciate all the efforts everyone made on
> Port's behalf. I do understand that Port took another violent fall and
> then
> somehow they were able to get him out. This group of hikers are the
> special
> ones, they put their schedules aside, and did what it took to help Port
> and
> I will be forever grateful. Because there must have been some special kind
> of help involved Port looks like he will fully recover as will I.
> So Port will be home in a week or so enjoying his pasture mates probably
> telling of his violent ordeal and the kindly hikers who helped.
> But, now I must ask for more help from this great society of PCTer's - I
> am
> coming back in 30 days with Issy (Port's best friend) and we will go on.
> But, this time, I beg the hikers to let me know of impossible areas for a
> horse. We will continue towards Canada and ask that you leave a note to
> any
> serious impediments to horse passage. Needless to say, my wonderful mentor
> Mendorider told me to skip the area where Port fell and my bullheaded, can
> do attitude caused this whole accident. I will listen if you all will
> leave
> me a note or something. I am forever grateful to the group who took the
> time
> to help Port and realize the PCT is so very much more than a trail.
> Sincerely, Susan (Grayhair)
>
>

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