High Sierra Topix

No I would prefer them, they add character.

Wow, glad you got out ok! A near epic for sure. Too funny Mav.

Great report and glad you made it out OK. Funny thing is that of all of the trips I've taken in the Sierra, the most I've ever bled from an injury (and I've had a few of them over the years) was just the other side of Red and White Mtn. I was camped at Big Mc Gee (taking shelter after thunderstorms shut down a Red and White climbing attempt) with my dad and I sliced the corner off of the index finger of my left hand while trying to slice some salame. The blood sort of spurted or fountained. Fortunately direct pressure and elevation was in fact enough to stop the bleeding fairly quickly.

Great trip report! Crap certainly happens sometimes - speaking of which the one time I cut myself fairly well was about a week into a two week solo trip. At the time, I was descending some of those granite stairs that you run across on trails and just flat out tripped on one. I fell forward and sliced my shin on a sharp granite edge on the way down and to top it off, the wound area fell into a fresh pile of horse manure... Fortunately it was during my early "heavyweight" backpacking and I had a small bottle of peroxide to cleanse the wound. It sure bled a lot and was probably stitches material but I didn't feel like breaking out the sewing kit Used up all medical supplies during next day or two including the military battle dressing that I also carry and steri-strips and finally ended up with duct tape over the wound (and my sliced pants) which turned out OK. I was able to finish the trip.

I've done several stupid things while BP but I don't think that I would ever have hiked while bleeding. Before doing almost anything you've got to stop the bleeding! I hiked to Grinnell once when sick (mild flue symptoms) without shelter and got snow on my sleeping bag (maybe the stupidest thing I ever did), but hiking while bleeding? No thanks.

Whoever told you pressure was right on the money. If you'd been able to call me at work (911) I would have told you put a clean cloth or towel right on the wound and push down firmly and don't lift it up to look!
BTW...a couple years ago my husband and I went over McGee and did a really nice loop. But after we got over Hopkins Pass right in the beginning, he slipped on a rock at the bottom in the valley and tore his tendon on the side of the knee. Major bummer. We wrapped it as best we could for support and cut about 30 miles off our trail so we could get out sooner. It took months to heal....
Dee