File it under, 'It ain't easy being old'
Got up EARLY yesterday and hiked into a high mountain lake in Rocky Mntn Natl Park, with Tom and a couple buddies. Was a beautiful day for a hike in the woods and I separated from my group, to fish at a promising (Mills) lake. After having some action on a black ant pattern, decided I needed to hurry down the (steep, rocky) path to get to the trailhead on time, and I 'caught an edge' on one of the steepest, rockiest parts of the trail.
Just like catching an edge when skiing, I realized I was headed down, going way to fast, headfirst, so I just tucked and rolled, which is MUCH easier and less painful on a ski slope. When I finally stopped, I looked up the trail to see my hat, sunglasses, pack and even my watch which was knocked off and broken. Was bleeding in several places, incl 2 spots on my head.
Laid there for a while and finally realized nothing was broken, but it hurt to get up. Since I was still over 2 miles from the vehicle, I had no choice but to head down the hill.
Didn't realize my head was bleeding 'til a young hiker coming up the trail said, 'You OK sir?'. I hate being called sir, but it was OK this time.
Bottom line, am sore today, but no serious injuries, though I am going through lots of band-aids, and my hip, knee and elbow don't want to bend. Am thinking it happened cuz I'm old and slow, but it could have happened to a younger me, hurrying down a slope that should have been taken with caution. Even with the fall, was still a beautiful day for a hike in the high country, though I'd forgotten how 'thin' the air is, at 10,000 ft, when hiking uphill...
Just like catching an edge when skiing, I realized I was headed down, going way to fast, headfirst, so I just tucked and rolled, which is MUCH easier and less painful on a ski slope. When I finally stopped, I looked up the trail to see my hat, sunglasses, pack and even my watch which was knocked off and broken. Was bleeding in several places, incl 2 spots on my head.
Laid there for a while and finally realized nothing was broken, but it hurt to get up. Since I was still over 2 miles from the vehicle, I had no choice but to head down the hill.
Didn't realize my head was bleeding 'til a young hiker coming up the trail said, 'You OK sir?'. I hate being called sir, but it was OK this time.
Bottom line, am sore today, but no serious injuries, though I am going through lots of band-aids, and my hip, knee and elbow don't want to bend. Am thinking it happened cuz I'm old and slow, but it could have happened to a younger me, hurrying down a slope that should have been taken with caution. Even with the fall, was still a beautiful day for a hike in the high country, though I'd forgotten how 'thin' the air is, at 10,000 ft, when hiking uphill...
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