272305 - ..
272306 - Arriving at 0733 calculates to about 50 minutes from the trailhead,
272307 - allowing for the time Lindsey took to change cloths at the wood
272308 - bridge.
272310 - ..
272311 - This is a little faster than 2 years ago, on 130918 0620, ref SDS 31,
272312 - W14O, and slower than last year on 140917 0540. ref SDS 60 W14O
272313 -
272314 -
272315 -
272316 -
272317 -
272319 - ..
272320 - Neveda Falls Took Steeper Trail
272321 -
272322 - Follow up ref SDS 60 6Q63, ref SDS 31 6Q63.
272323 -
272324 - Climbing up from Vernal Falls, there is a sign that says the trail
272325 - splits. John Muir Trail veering to the right is flatter and longer
272326 - about 1.6 miles. The steeper trail is only 1.3 miles. Last year took
272327 - the steep trail, reported on 130918 0620. ref SDS 31 6Q63
272329 - ..
272330 - Decided to take shorter, steeper trail to Nevada Falls in order to
272331 - save time and increase exercise. Took this shorter trail two (2)
272332 - years ago, to save time, reported on 130918 0620. ref SDS 31 6Q63
272333 - Last year took the longer and flatter trail, because of poor
272334 - conditioning caused by metatarsalgia feet injuries the prior 2 months,
272335 - reported on 140917 0540. ref SDS 60 6Q63
272337 - ..
272338 - This year, seem to be in better shape than last year, because
272339 - feet have been okay. Did a lot more training the past 2 months, so
272340 - decided to take the steeper trail today.
272341 -
272342 -
272344 - ..
2724 -
2725 -
2726 - 0830
2727 -
272701 - Fall Injured Left Leg Hematoma Bruised Quadracep Sprained Wrists - Very Lucky
272702 -
272703 - After about an hour at mile 4, and 90% up the trail to Nevada Falls,
272704 - suffered fall. Lindsey was above. She turned and said:
272705 -
272706 - "Hey Rod, check it out! Awesome!"
272708 - ..
272709 - She was referring to the morning sun reflecting off a huge granite
272710 - mountain across the gourge.
272712 - ..
272713 - Twisted my body slightly left to look up and over my left shoulder.
272714 - Seemed to feel a floating/dizzy sensation, then fell backward.
272715 - Landed down the trail about 10 feet from Lindsey above.
272717 - ..
272718 - Do not remember being dizzy, but this could have been a factor because
272719 - of periodic dizziness, when bending over the past few months, possibly
272720 - related to medication. Stopped all medications in the beginning of
272721 - August to resolve side effects, primarily dehydration that injured
272722 - feet. The past few weeks, feet have significantly improved and
272723 - dehydration has subsided. More likely just fatigue from not enough
272724 - training. Could have stopped and rested more often, not sure.
272726 - ..
272727 - Disorientation hiking with backpack may have contributed to falling.
272728 - The backpack changes balance traversing rocky, uneven trail.
272730 - ..
272731 - Hoka Stinson shoes could have been another factor. They have a
272732 - thicker sole than regular shoes for better cushioning hiking long
272733 - distances on hard asphault and concrete surfaces common to city
272734 - streets in Concord, where most hiking is done day-to-day. Thicker
272735 - cushioning protects against repetitive stress feet injuries, like
272736 - metatarsalgia, diagnosed in this case on 140805. ref SDS 51 1E5Y The
272737 - thicker sole makes the ankle less stable on severely irregular
272738 - terraine encountered on the Half Dome trail. Only speculating the
272739 - fall could have started with foot slipping from stepping on a rock
272740 - that resulted in twisting the ankle, which gave way causing the fall.
272742 - ..
272743 - The fall took 2 - 3 seconds. Put both hands down to stop fall, and
272744 - eventually came to rest against a big rock. Forutnately, kept head
272745 - up, so it did not strike any rocks, mostly luck - very fortunate.
272746 -
272747 - [On 150917 1028 letter notifies primary care physician of
272748 - Half Dome results, ref SDS 66 JN3J, and request guidance to
272749 - recover from injuries caused by falling climbing trail to
272750 - Nevada Falls. ref SDS 66 JV5S
272752 - ..
272753 - [On 150917 1028 at 2256 meeting Doctor Jesse Turner in ER
272754 - at VA Medical Center San Francisco. ref SDS 66 QH7K
272756 - ..
272757 - [On 160825 0143 following year, did test hike to verify can
272758 - traverse the location where the fall occurred this year.
272759 - ref SDS 70 O87H
272761 - ..
272762 - [On 160914 0530 hiked all the way to the top of Half Dome.
272763 - ref SDS 71 0001
272765 - ..
272766 - Lindsey was up ahead, and did not at first realize there was a fall,
272767 - until turning to say something. On realizing the situation, she very
272768 - professionally said to not try getting up or moving. She examined
272769 - legs and other members. Nothing seemed broken, so she helped in
272770 - standing up.
272772 - ..
272773 - Most immediate injury was to left side of lower left leg. It was
272774 - already starting to swell up with just minor bleeding from scratches.
272775 -
272776 - 
272778 - ..
272779 - Must have banged it hard against a rock.
272781 - ..
272782 - Shortly, after the fall, someone going up passed us on the trail, and
272783 - asked if we needed assistance. At this point said no, but asked them
272784 - to take a picture of our team...
272785 -
272786 - 
272788 - ..
272789 - Then noticed pain in quadracep lifting left leg. It must have struck
272790 - a rock as well, so evidently tumbled like in the heavy duty cycle of
272791 - a cloths dryer.
272793 - ..
272794 - Further noticed wrists of both hands seemed stiff and sore, actually
272795 - sprained. Pain was most acute when pressing hands together. Somehow
272796 - must have caught myself with the hands, causing the sprain, per above.
272797 - ref SDS 0 O879
272798 -
272799 - [On 151005 0852 examination in ER at VA Medical Center in
272800 - San Francisco, ref SDS 69 0QTP; CT radiology study found
272801 - fracture in right wrist. ref SDS 69 PR8Y
272803 - ..
272804 - Discussed turning back or going forward.
272806 - ..
272807 - We hiked on up to Neveda Falls, because it was only a hundred yards
272808 - or so further up. Lindsey explained we could then decide to take the
272809 - easier John Muir Trail back, rather than go down the steeper, more
272810 - dangerous trail we came up.
272811 -
272812 -
272813 -
272815 - ..
272816 - Nevada Falls Near Merced River
272817 -
272818 - Follow up ref SDS 60 G66H.
272819 -
272820 - Rested here for 10 minutes or so and discussed whether to go ahead or
272821 - return on John Muir Trail for medical attention.
272823 - ..
272824 - Despite injuries, seemed to have good energy. After training for a
272825 - year did not want to turn back without strong evidence that injuries
272826 - are severely debilitating and require timely care. At this point
272827 - this was not established.
272829 - ..
272830 - Decided to continue toward Half Dome.
272831 -
272832 -
272834 - ..
2729 -
2730 -
2731 - 0954
2732 -
273202 - ..
273203 - Little Yosemite Valley Trail Relatively Flat .5 Miles
273204 -
273205 - Follow up ref SDS 60 M69J, ref SDS 31 M69J.
273206 -
273207 - The trail through the valley is mostly flat for about half-mile, but
273208 - very sandy. It is marked by small diameter logs on either side. A
273209 - path has been formed by hikers on the edge of the main trail because
273210 - firmer soil makes walking easier. This conserves energy. You have to
273211 - step over a few logs along the way that traverse the path and not the
273212 - main trail. These logs are mostly less than 2' in diameter, so this
273213 - is easier than walking in the sand.
273215 - ..
273216 - Lindsey suggested we stop to eat something and discuss whether to
273217 - continue.
273219 - ..
273220 - Ate some cherrios, and drank some water. Lindsey offered a cracker
273221 - with cheese - very good.
273223 - ..
273224 - Decided to go further up the trail through Little Yosemite Valley.
273226 - ..
273227 - Previously, there had been occasionally severe stabs of pain in a
273228 - horizonal line across the the lower left leg, when stepping a
273229 - particular way. Frequency seemed less after leaving Nevada Falls.
273230 - After going about .25 miles up the trail these episodes became more
273231 - frequent. We stopped again to evaluate.
273233 - ..
273234 - Seemed like the injury on lower left leg was getting bigger. Lindsay
273235 - took another picture...
273236 -
273237 - 
273239 - ..
273240 - Decided to turn back. Thought the leg pain issue might resolve itself
273241 - again sufficiently to reach the cables, but by now the hands and
273242 - wrists had more pain. Realized could not squeeze or grip the hands
273243 - with any strength. Since this would be required to ascend the
273244 - cables, decided there was no point to risk compounding injuries by
273245 - going forward, when ultimately would not be able to grip the cables.
273246 -
273247 -
273248 -
273250 - ..
2733 -
2734 -
2735 - 1019
2736 -
273601 - Half Dome Top Not Reached Returned to Nevada Falls
273602 - Nevada Falls Returned before Reaching Top Half Dome
273603 -
273604 - Follow up ref SDS 60 FF5G, ref SDS 31 FF5G.
273606 - ..
273607 - Hiked back through Little Yosemite Valley to Nevada Falls.
273609 - ..
273610 - Stopped and rested - someone took a picture...
273611 -
273612 - 
273614 - ..
273615 - This picture of Lindsey about age 23, reminds of our sister Kathleen
273616 - at that age.
273618 - ..
273619 - There were a number of hikers, some going on up, and others just
273620 - coming this far and resting before heading back.
273622 - ..
273623 - Among this group was a nurse. She was very concerned about the
273624 - severity of the leg injury, which she described as a large hematoma.
273625 - The nurse recommended taking Advil to control inflammation. Had 4
273626 - packages of 2 each ibuprofen to take in the event metatarsalgia pain
273627 - occurred in the feet, as happened last year. This problem was finally
273628 - resolved in late October last year, but in the past few months has
273629 - begun to recur. The nurse asked if any has already been taken today,
273630 - and when?
273632 - ..
273633 - Explained took 2 - 200 mg pills at 0530, when we left the room at
273634 - Yosemite Lodge.
273636 - ..
273637 - The nurse said to take 4 more pills immediately, so did that. It was
273638 - the last of the ibuprofen.
273640 - ..
273641 - The nurse further supplied a white towel, and recommended hiking down
273642 - to the Merced river, soak the towel and wrap the leg to further
273643 - control swelling.
273645 - ..
273646 - Thanked her and others for helpful guidance and concern.
273647 -
273648 -
273650 - ..
2737 -
2738 -
2739 - 1039
2740 -
274001 - John Muir Trail Longer Easier than Steep Trail
274002 - Merced River Soaked Towel and Wrapped Injured Leg
274003 -
274004 - Follow up ref SDS 60 JA9O, ref SDS 31 JA9O.
274005 -
274006 - Decided to take the longer, but flatter John Muir Trail from Nevada
274007 - Falls to Vernal Falls, since injury made doing steep stone steps
274008 - problematic. Thought the flatter trail would be less risky.
274010 - ..
274011 - Along the way down, Lindsey seemed to relate have graduated from the
274012 - University of California at Santa Cruz. Her degree may be in
274013 - forestry, or similar field. She grew up in the Mount Shasta area.
274014 - Her parents still live there, and are avid hikers, so Lindsey became
274015 - interested in the outdoors and mountain hiking at a young age.
274017 - ..
274018 - Lindsey is considering various career options. At the moment, she is
274019 - planning to take mountain Rescue training. This is a vigorous course.
274020 - If successful, she would become a Rescue Officer, qualified for high
274021 - elevation mountain rescues, providing first aid medical attention to
274022 - victims, and getting them to safety.
274024 - ..
274025 - Commended Lindsey's helpful aid today providing first aid and getting
274026 - us down the mountain after the fall today, per above. ref SDS 0 O87H
274028 - ..
274029 - Reached Merced River and wood bridge in about 10 minutes.
274031 - ..
274032 - Lindsey soaked the towel, received from the nurse, in the icy water of
274033 - the Merced river. She wrapped the injured leg with the towel.
274035 - ..
274036 - Lindsey had a first aid kit. She used medical tape to wrap and secure
274037 - the towel to the leg for the hike back to the valley...
274038 -
274039 - 
274040 -
274041 -
274042 -
274044 - ..
2741 -
2742 -
2743 - 1044
2744 -
274401 - Going down the John Muir Trail, took picture of Lindsey to illustrate
274402 - the beauty of Yosemite...
274404 - ..
274405 - 
274407 - ..
274408 - Lindsey related having recently spent several weeks hiking 250 miles
274409 - of John Muir Trail, also called the Pacific Crest trail. She did this
274410 - alone as a wilderness experience, ending at Mount Whitney, the tallest
274411 - point in continental US. This trail is explained in an article
274412 - published reporting another hiker accomplishing this feat...
274413 -
274414 - http://www.bendbulletin.com/news/1347363-151/journey-of-a-lifetime
274416 - ..
274417 - Can't wait to see the article on Lindsey's hike.
274419 - ..
274420 - Took another picture on this section of the John Muir Trail...
274421 -
274422 - 
274424 - ..
274425 - Further along, another picture shows the towering rocks that make
274426 - yosemite so special...
274427 -
274428 - 
274430 - ..
274431 - This may be Half Dome waiting until next year for another ascent...
274432 -
274433 - 
274434 -
274436 - ..
2745 -
2746 -
2747 - 124548
2748 -
274801 - We finally reached an area where the tall trees grow down closer to
274802 - the Valley....
274803 -
274804 - 
274805 -
274806 -
274808 - ..
2749 -
2750 -
2751 - 1340
2752 -
275201 - Wood Bridge End of Difficult Trail
275202 -
275203 - Follow up ref SDS 60 H84K.
275204 -
275205 - We stopped at the wood bridge, then hiked back to the trailhead.
275206 - Decided not to take the shuttle. Hiked back to Curry Village.
275207 - Lindsey knew a shortcut through the woods.
275209 - ..
275210 - In Curry Village, Lindsey reported results of the hike to Anna, at
275211 - Yosemite Mountaineering School (her employer).
275213 - ..
275214 - Lindsey got her bike and walked it with me another few miles from
275215 - Curry Village to Yosemite Village for lunch. She knew a deli in the
275216 - Village community that makes great avocado sandwiches, so that was
275217 - the selling point.
275219 - ..
275220 - Crossed the Stone Bridge over the Merced River...
275221 -
275222 - 
275224 - ..
275225 - Called Kathy and reported fall. Assured her seem to be fair
275226 - condition, well enough to walk home. Asked Kathy to meet us at a
275227 - deli for lunch. Suggested she walk, because it is only about .5 mile
275228 - from Yosemite Lodge.
275229 -
275230 -
275232 - ..
275233 - Lunch Yosemite Village Deli
275234 - Kathy Triumphant Ascent to Wood Bridge Recovery Half Dome Hike
275235 -
275236 - Follow up ref SDS 60 XU6N, ref SDS 31 XU6N.
275237 -
275238 - Was glad to finally reach the deli and order sandwiches, and sit
275239 - down.
275241 - ..
275242 - Kathy drove from Yosemite Village, and so had to park up the road.
275243 - We used the cell phone to help guide her trek from the parking lot to
275244 - our location.
275246 - ..
275247 - Kathy had great news. She reached the Wood Bridge today, and then,
275248 - like last year, went further up the Mist trail toward Vernal Falls.
275250 - ..
275251 - The sandwich was great as advertized. Lindsey explained our adventure
275252 - to Kathy. Her plans after lunch were to go jump in the Merced river
275253 - for a swim. Since the water is freezing cold, Lindsey was obviously
275254 - acclimated from her Pacific Crest trai adventure hiking 250 miles
275255 - weeks ago.
275257 - ..
275258 - Earlier had invited Lindsey to have dinner with us. Over lunch
275259 - explained we would have to take a rain check, since would likely have
275260 - to crash at the hotel room, and might actually drive back to San
275261 - Francisco to get checked out in the ER at the VA Medical Center.
275263 - ..
275264 - Another option would be to request examination and care at the
275265 - medical clinic in the valley.
275267 - ..
275268 - Thanked Lindsey for exceptional professionalism rendering effective
275269 - hiking support under disappointing, unexpected, and traumatic
275270 - circumstances. Appoligized for missing out on the views from the top
275271 - of Half Dome. Doubtless, her next customer will remedy this
275272 - shortcoming today. Hopefully, next year we can do this again with
275273 - better success from lessons learned today.
275275 - ..
275276 - After lunch, Kathy and I had to walk to the car where she parked.
275277 - This turned out to be at least .5 miles away. Might have been closer
275278 - to have simply walked back to the hotel room.
275279 -
275280 -
275282 - ..
275283 - Injuries Worsen After Resting Consider Seeking Medical Attention
275284 -
275285 - On reaching the hotel, Kathy did excellent work proving ice for
275286 - injuries, recommended 4 hours earlier by the nurse at Nevada Falls.
275287 - Kathy had to make several trips to the ice machine for this job.
275289 - ..
275290 - The picture is not clear, but there is ice on the lower left leg, the
275291 - upper left leg, and both wrists...
275292 -
275293 - 
275295 - ..
275296 - Took last of ibuprofen to control inflammation.
275298 - ..
275299 - Several hours later, got up to walk over to the cafeteria for dinner.
275300 - This turned out to be very painful. Simply entending the led into a
275301 - vertial position was very painful. Touching the ground with the left
275302 - foot increased the pain to level "12". After several minutes simply
275303 - partially standing on one foot. Pain began to subside and could
275304 - place weight on the left foot. A few minutes later could walk.
275306 - ..
275307 - So, we walked to the cafeteria across the street. Could not eat much,
275308 - nothing seemed appealing. Ate a few bites of what Kathy ordered.
275310 - ..
275311 - After dinner back at the room, Kathy did research on care for
275312 - hematoma injuries to the lower leg.
275314 - ..
275315 - We considered seeking medical support at the local clinic in Yosemite
275316 - Valley. Placed a call and got message the clinic is closed for the
275317 - day.
275319 - ..
275320 - Next morning got up about 0400. Worked and got some of this record
275321 - started.
275323 - ..
275324 - Woke Kathy. We decided to drive back early to Concord, and then
275325 - notify the primary care doctor of injuries.
275326 -
275327 - [On 150917 1028 letter notifies primary care physician of
275328 - Half Dome results, ref SDS 66 JN3J, and request guidance to
275329 - recover from injuries caused by falling climbing trail to
275330 - Nevada Falls. ref SDS 66 JV5S
275332 - ..
275333 - [On 150917 1028 at 2256 meeting Doctor Jesse Turner in ER
275334 - at VA Medical Center San Francisco. ref SDS 67 QH7K
275335 -
275336 -
275337 -
275338 -
275339 -
275340 -
275408 -
275409 -
275410 -
275411 -
275412 -
275413 -
275414 -
275415 -
275416 -
2755 -