Taking a deep breath, I'll draft my final backpacking report for 2025, describing a trip over Labor Day weekend, intended to be three nights in the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness. Unfotunately, there was a surprise ending.
I started at a trailhead I had visited before, in fact the entire plan resembled a trip I did with Max last year. The weather turned rainy and cold soon after I started hiking, so it was a miserable wet walk up to a peaceful group of lakes. I knew right where to camp though, to get some shelter, and the rain slowed to a drizzle long enough to make dinner.
It rained on and off all night, but it was clear in the morning, and I pulled out my gear to dry, while Max hung out in the campsite.
We took some extra time to pack up, but eventually, we packed up and moved out at about 9:30am. Initially, the trail was in good shape, but we soon came to a lengthy section that was unmaintained and suffering from 20+ years of a pine/spruce beetle infestation. This type of deadfall is treacherous and diffucult to cross, especially in steep terrain. We tried to keep coming back to the "trail," in the hopes of finding better sections, but it was hard and slow going.
Eventually, we emerged into a lovely river valley that is pretty isolated. I've been here several times and never seen another person.
After hiking several miles up the valley, we headed up through the forest to an off-trail lake that I hadn't visited before. I was trying to find clear areas and follow game trails, but it was mostly steep and wet, with a lot of huge deadfall. At one point, I stepped down from a big downed tree and slipped or tripped, and fell forward down the slope. I instinctively put out my hands to protect my face, and as soon as I came to a stop and assessed myself, I knew my left wrist was badly broken. I had some abrasions on my face and scalp, but I didn't hit my head hard or lose consciousness.
It was 2pm, thunderstorms were coming in, and I was about 12 miles from my car, including a fair amount of difficult terrain. The pain was pretty bad and it was hard to focus on what I needed to do. However, it came to me that I should try to immobilize the wrist. I found a stick that looked promising and pulled all of my tape out of my first aid and repair kits. It wasn't easy with one hand, but I managed to make an effective splint.
I messaged my wife and told her I was going to try to make it back to my truck. I told her that I might be able to get there by dark, and then I would drive home. The alternative was to call for a rescue, but that might have taken even longer, and trying to set up a camp under the circumstances did not feel like a good option. So I headed back down to the valley, and that went well. Unfortunately, as I was walking back down the valley, we were hit by thunderstorms with pelting hail, which sent Max scrambling for cover. I managed to put on my rain gear and we forged on, through a couple more storms. I was dreading the return trip through the trail with all deadfall, but the only other option would have added another 6 miles of walking, or 24 total for the day, and I didn't think I would make it that far.
Anyway, it was a long and painful slog, but as darkness approached, I made it to my car, and I was relieved to make it out. I drove home 5 hours, and my wife took me to the ER at 2am. They were suitably impressed by my splint and promptly replaced it with something less woody.
Unfortunately, the radius bone was significantly displaced and surgery involving bone plate and screws was necessary. TBH, the pain from the surgery has been worse than from the original break, but after 5 days, it's becoming more bearable. My first PT appointment is tomorrow. Hopefully, recovery will go smoothly and I will be back in the wilderness next summer.
