Thursday, October 8, 2009

Painful Rainbow Ridge


You may be wondering why the word "painful" is included in this post, but wait, you'll find out. We had a beautiful day, and 15 Senior Trailblazers headed up to Rainbow Ridge, an absolutely gorgeous hike. This view when we made it to the ridge (after about a mile's slog through steep uphill wet and slippery trail), shows Baker Lake in the background and the fall colors in the foreground.

We didn't go very far, but once you are on the ridge, you are actually "there" and enjoying the fantastic view. Weather was great, cool but sunny. Here's a picture of 11 of the Seniors:

I was taking the picture, and three of the slower hikers were still making it up to the ridge, where this was taken. It doesn't show up all that well, but Mt. Baker is behind them.

Look at the colors we saw. Notice a little snow on the side of the trail, which was also present in places as we hiked. We went probably somewhere a bit short of six miles round trip, with some pretty steep uphill and downhill. After gaining the ridge, most of our uphill and downhill canceled each other out. The blueberries were profuse and we ate them as we hiked.

We looked down at this valley as we had lunch. It's so beautiful here, and we really enjoyed ourselves. On the way back down, the trail was very slippery and even treacherous in places. Although I had hiking poles, at one point I slipped and fell forward onto an exposed tree root, scraping my shin, which caused me severe pain. I lay there in the mud for awhile groaning, but then took a look and stood up to see if I could walk. Since I had obviously not broken anything, we resumed our downward hike. Within a few minutes, I was aware that my shin hurt like crazy, and stopped. We were all stunned to see a softball-sized hematoma that was obviously not okay!

One of the hikers, Gary, is a retired nurse, and he had a good first aid kit. We bound up the injured leg with an ace bandage and kept going. When we got to the trailhead, I was not at all shy about laying down by the car and asking my fellow hikers to take off my boots and help me into the car. As we had a long drive, I elevated my leg and as soon as possible got some frozen peas (the best!) onto the shin. Now I am at home, and I've got my leg on the table next to me, with those same frozen peas wrapping around it. I'm going to be okay, but I won't be working out tomorrow!

Here's a last picture of Mt. Baker, after we started back down the trail, some beautiful clouds began to join my favorite peak:

You can click on any of these pictures to enlarge. I am so happy to have had a wonderful, if painful, day in the high country surrounded by such outstanding friends. I'll be okay, don't worry!
:-)

18 comments:

  1. Oh my DJ...are you okay? Next time be very careful when hiking, there are some parts which are really slippery, but you captured beautiful photos of the Rainbow Ridge. I enlarged the valley photo it is breath taking! I like going to valleys then shout out loud and wait to hear my echo, did you do that? Be well.

    AL

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  2. I am sorry to hear about your fall. You are probably even more sore today. At least that is how it works for me when I fall. Day 2 always finds me more bruised and achy. I am glad it was not serious but it had to be plenty scary. Take care and let us know how you are doing.

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  3. A rare treat to see these people all the way up there. Nice shots.

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  4. Oh WOW, DJan. That colors are exquisite and that last picture of Mt. Baker was unbelievable. I'm so sorry you got hurt and what a TROUPER to get back to the car with something like that. Take good care of yourself while it heals. The nice thing about being the healthy eater you are and being in such good shape is you'll probably heal quickly. In the meantime, try and get people to wait on you! lol

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  5. Gorgeous pictures. I particularly like the one of the valley.
    I hate to hear you fell; how are you feeling today? As often as you all hike I suppose it's not surprising that someone gets hurt. I suppose you can be thankful that you didn't break anything. I hope the healing goes well, and quickly.

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  6. Awesome views. Sorry about your fall, take care.
    Sunny

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  7. Thanks for all the well wishes, everyone! I'm not working out today or jumping this weekend, but I'm thankfully able to get around without crutches. Using the RICE system (rest, ice, compression, elevation), the shin is swollen from kneecap to ankle today, very hot to the touch. If I take off the ace bandage, it begins to swell up at the main impact point. But I think by Monday I should be able to do a short low impact workout!

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  8. Fantastic photos, what a great view.

    Good to hear you are doing OK, take it easy. It's also great to hear someone use the RICE system. I taught first aid and CPR for just over ten years and I always like it when folks actually use the methods. Of course skydiving and hiking would give you some expertise with first aid. If you don't see some improvement by Monday you might want to see the doc.

    Judy

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  9. Oh by the way, great performance in Rae's video.

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  10. Bummer! I hate falling down. I'm glad it wasn't more serious. Such incredible country, wow. The colors are really standing out right now.

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  11. Hope you get to feeling better soon! Great pictures though, as always. Take care!

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  12. Oh my gosh...I am SO sorry you got hurt on your hike!! Hope you are okay now.
    Those pictures are fantastic. Just gorgeous.
    You hike to the most magnificent places with mountains that are unbelievable!!

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  13. I was worried because I understood that you fell on your chin (on your face.) I say that because the last time I fell at the office my chin hit the metal cabinet and by afternoon I could not see and could not walk straight and had a bad brain concussion. I still have nerve problems in my face and it has been 4 years ago, but if it was you shin – I guess it is somewhere in your leg, then it is far from your brain! You have such a beautiful landscape where you live – I am sure that does a lot to make you happy.

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  14. Sounds awful Djan. I keep telling you to take care but you don't do you!! tuch tuch. Hope your leg gets better soon.
    What causes one of the haeemo whats its to come up on your leg then? Is it a swollen vein or something? Good news is, you've got you blogging to keep you going.
    Star

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  15. glad you made it down OK, and enjoyed the pics on Facebook of you resting :) but you brought back bad memories of using bags of frozen peas to dull the pain of my wisdom teeth extraction 14 years ago. No wonder why I don't like peas! At least your frozen bag is down by your feet and away from your nose... -kate

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  16. Djan, I hope you are better today, Falls happen, and you are really lucky that you didn't break anything! Good thing you are being RICE to yourself! Stunning photographs..just wonderful! :)

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