My SAR below Lake Catherine and Rehab

[FeetFirst]

Thank you for sharing and I'm happy to hear you're recovering. Good for you to make the best of it and appreciate the down time.

[Lumbergh21]

Well told rescue story and one more reason for me to get a Spot\InReach like my wife wants me to. One thing though. I've been told by several people that you want to carry it somewhere easily reachable, e. g. clipped to the front of your pack, as you might not be able to access your pack if you are injured.

[hikerduane]

I've come up out of the drainage from Hemlock Crossing to Catherine in early Oct., with my late dog over 12 years ago, had no problem, but going up is easier to see than some routes down. Lucky you, I go solo, not always making the best decisions, but I'm still here. Thank you for sharing, retired now, guess I will have to be careful. No compass or PLB. A wet finger and extra mileage get me out of trouble.
Duane

[Shhsgirl]

Rocky, I'm really glad to hear that you are recovering well. I still feel bad for not being there to help. As you may have seen from our later trip report, my husband and I went down via North Ritter Lake, instead. You are so LUCKY!! Hope to see you at this summer's meet up.

[Shhsgirl]

Question: How many feet do you think you fell? I am considering wearing a helmet for more difficult X-C this summer, given that I am older and more vulnerable.

[Hobbes]

Question: How many feet do you think you fell? I am considering wearing a helmet for more difficult X-C this summer, given that I am older and more vulnerable.

Heck, you could slip/trip/tumble over a rock, or have a piece of talus move from out from under you, and fall just a few feet and hit your head. There was a post just awhile ago from someone recounting that exact experience. There's also the possibility of someone dislodging a rock from above.

BD helmets only weigh between 7-11oz so it's a good option if you plan on doing any hard class 2 or class 3 x-country.

[Rockyroad]

Question: How many feet do you think you fell? I am considering wearing a helmet for more difficult X-C this summer, given that I am older and more vulnerable.

Shhsgirl, I'm really glad you were able to complete the trip later that summer. I'd like to give it another try someday. My best guess is that I slid about 10 feet vertically and the dropoff to the ground was another 8 feet. I think the helmet is a good idea. I was lucky to have landed on my backpack.

[Shhsgirl]

Yup. My buddy and I are probably going to bring helmets to the meet up this year. I'll bring one anywhere that I don't know what I'll encounter. The Petzl Scirocco is super lightweight.

[hiac]

Thank you for your write up. Glad you are recovering. If you don't mind, I have some questions:
1) you mentioned:
I did ask them to reattach my tendon since I was worried it might shrink and lose elasticity.
later you said:
I was still half asleep but I also heard him say he did not reattach the tendon. I now realize this was best
is reattach good or bad?

2) you down climb the cliff, is it Class 3 or 4? is it slippery or lose rock?

3) do you need to buy extra insurance (besides your medical insurance) to cover helicopter rescue mission?

4) did you receive any Wilderness First Aid Training & Courses (such as from REI)? bring any first aid kits? Every time when I pack, I struggle on what first aid kits to bring.

5) do you ever have any thought that you will not make it? panic, recording will?

6) how do you prepare for the shelter for the night, in case no one come?

7) is it better to lower the backpacker first? in other word, backpacker cause the in-balance?
Hope you recover soon!

[hiac]

A wet finger and extra mileage get me out of trouble.

what does "A wet finger and extra mileage" mean here?