[pct-l] Hikers over Yosemite falls

[Nitnoid1]

On the PCT near Badger Lakes, I was nearing the end of a long day. I was starting to get into the zone in order to make the miles needed to reach my campsite before nightfall.  When I zone it, I don't pay attention to details, such a roots. I therefore tripped on a root, and despite having two hiking poles, I fell on my stomach. This would have been the end of the story if it weren't for the steep slope at the edge of the trail and the smooth, pine needle covered ground where I landed. I started sliding downhill at great speed, face-first. Since my wrists were still trapped by the pole loops, I could not bring them forward to slow my Nantucket sleigh ride. I saw a smooth, large rock in my direct path. With no way to avoid it, and knowing the my head would hit first, I clenched my teeth and pursed my lips and had a head-on collision. My lips took the full force, but The rock stopped the stomach sleigh ride. My teeth were numb and lips were bloody and obviously cut. But I survived despite myself. Later on, a hiker came by. I asked him how I looked. He said pretty bad.  I thought, chicks dig scars and bones heal. 

That's my stupid is as stupid does incident. Don't daydream on the trail. 

No trail name suggestions please ;-) 

The Incredible Bulk

On Jul 22, 2011, at 9:15 PM, Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes <diane at santabarbarahikes.com> wrote:

> 
> On Jul 22, 2011, at 10:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
> 
>> What's your stupidest thing that you've ever done in the  
>> wilderness? Maybe we can all learn from each other's mistakes.
> 
> Well, when I hiked from Santa Barbara to the PCT I had one more  
> connector trail to go to get to Interstate 5 near Hikertown. I  
> followed the trail and then it just ended. I got out my map and  
> identified all the peaks and identified Buck Creek canyon, which is  
> where I was supposed to follow the Buck Creek trail. I just couldn't  
> figure out how to get there. I searched around for an hour and  
> couldn't find a trail. I finally decided I better return up the  
> really steep hill I had come down and find the trail. I went only a  
> minute or two and then saw a perfect trail headed completely in the  
> wrong direction. It was such a perfect trail that I ignored the  
> little voice in my head telling me it's not the right way. I passed a  
> spring, just like the map said I would, a campsite just like the map  
> said I would, and then climbed a ridge and headed for Hungry Valley.  
> Woops. That's not right. Dang motorcycles! I was following a  
> motorcycle trail!
> 
> So I backtracked and saw some horse poop near the creek and followed  
> a faint trail down the creek. I ended up spending the next 4 hours  
> becoming increasingly desperate as I followed animal trails and  
> finally bushwacked down the creek through poison oak, stinging  
> nettles and wild roses. The rocks were slick and every time I stepped  
> in the creek I slipped on the rocks. I hit my head once. I had a  
> sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that I had absolutely no  
> idea where I was and I could slip, hit my head and die and nobody  
> would ever find me. I tried to comfort myself with the fact that I  
> was heading downstream and all creeks would drain into Pyramid Lake  
> so at the very worst, I might have to flag down a boater to take me  
> to the other shore.
> 
> After 4 hours of desperation and on the verge of tears, I reached a  
> confluence with a large creek. I followed the large creek and found a  
> fence with a box on it. I opened the box and found angler survey  
> cards. It seemed to suggest I was on Piru Creek. Piru Creek? I looked  
> beyond the fence and there was a road. Could I be right next to  
> Hardluck Camp? I walked out and sure enough, I was right near  
> Hardluck Camp. I looked at my watch. It was 4pm. I had estimated that  
> following Buck Creek trail I'd be right at this very spot at 4pm.  
> What luck! I was fine and right on schedule!
> 
> I suppose that's not as stupid though as all the times I set my  
> alcohol stove right on the duff in Oregon and had to put out the  
> resulting fire with half a liter of water.
> 
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