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May 22, 2025
Hi Folks,
I think we are getting ready to embark on our 6th or 7th consecutive rainy weekend. On the good side, the drought we have been in for a while, especially in the southern part of the State, seems to be in the rear view mirror. As is often the case in NH and New England in general, the weather is never quite what you would expect. And right now predictions seem to include Accumulating snow in the upper elevations. [SHEESH] If you have plans that include time in the mountains, at least prepare appropriately. I don't wanna hear about any of you folks needing to be rescued!
Last Friday was a bit on the "entertaining" side, and I most certainly use that term loosely. If you're squeamish you may not want to read further! It all started with my decision to do a post-lunch-time bike mountain bike ride. I had chatted with my neighbors Michael & Sarah around mid-day about my plan to ride up at the Marshall trails. In the conversation I think I may have said something about how I've ridden almost all the rock "stunts" there over the past couple of years. [hmmm] Tho I've been out a bunch this season [east-side Echo Lake, west-side Swamp, Rattlesnake and others plus Albany Town Forest] quite surprisingly I hadn't ridden Marshall.
So I put the bike in the car and headed over. On the way I voice-texted my friend Phil to let him know where I was going to be. I always do that when I'm going to be out doing some activity by myself. I headed up Lucille's, was feeling good and took the Lemon Squeezer connection to the Muzzy Bench. There were 3 other riders I didn't recognize there, I stopped for a minute, said hi, then continued down Shumway. Understand that I've ridden this trail many many times since it was built, and as I had said to Michael and Sarah, I've done almost all of the rock bits. There is a pretty easy rock ramp about halfway down the upper section of the trail, before it crosses Lucille's, and I decided I would do it as usual. Unfortunately, for some unknown reason, just as I got to the middle, I lost it and fell to my right where there is a little embankment and more unfortunately a dead tree! When I put my right arm out to break my fall, a pointed branch on the tree caught my arm! While I didn't hit my head and my Camelback somewhat cushioned my back, the pointed branch sliced the inside of my right forearm open like it was a scalpel! I got up, pulled the bike upright and looked at my arm - expecting to see a cut or scratch. This time I saw my arm laid wide open. There was lots of blood and I could actually see the exposed tendon in my arm. I flexed my hand to see if it was functional, and it was. [WHEW]
I figured that if I could get myself down to my car, I could likely get to the local hospital that's not very far. I didn't have a first aid kit in my Camelback, YES I KNOW, but I didn't think I would bleed out. So I pulled my arm into my side and tried to very slowly ride down one handed. The plan was to get to the Lucille's intersection, and then ride down the parallel snowmobile road to where my car was parked. Unfortunately that approach didn't work very well and I fell over to my left probably 50 feet or so further down. I sat down and realized I wasn't going to be able to manage this alone. So I called Michael, told him what was going on, and where I was and asked if he could come get me. He said yes and that he and Sarah would be right over. Did I mention that he is a doctor and she is a nurse? [wry grin] Although I had told my buddy Phil where I was, IU knew he was up in the Hurricane Zone off Hurricane Mt Rd and wouldn't be able to get to where I was any time soon.
By now I was feeling a bit on the woozy side, but I thought that I heard some voices so I hollered out. In a few seconds the three folks who I had seen at the top came tearing down the trail. Of course they stopped and from what I remember as it turned out the woman (Alicia?) knew who I was and one of the guys (Dan?) was an WFR. He did a quick evaluation, had a first aid kit and wrapped up my arm. We planned for me to lower my seat and paddle my way down to the road and then to my car. As it turns out I was able to do that OK. As we were going along I called Michael again on my watch and told him we were on our way down to the parking lot. One of the three rescuers had also called 911 and we met the EMT's as they were coming past the lower gate.
Fortunately Michael & Sarah showed up, I was able to decline service from the ambulance and Sarah drove me to the hospital. 3+ hours later, after much irrigation by the PA on call, more by the orthopedic PA and then her sewing me up nicely, I was on my way home. KUDOS to everyone involved and to the great folks at the hospital. Even 6 days later I'm sore in a wide variety places and on 2 heavy duty antibiotics. I could post a picture of the actual wound, pre stitches, but I won't.
On the good side, if there IS a good side, my hand and fingers are all good. I had no gigs that weekend and nothing until this Saturday at Tuckerman. That one is with my buddy Jim McLaughlin so I can chill. And then nothing till one more on the following weekend. [WHEW] I had a followup on Tuesday with the surgeon who sewed me up and things look good.
There is always (or should be) an analysis from accidents. For me this one is:
1) Don't push yourself too hard early in the season.
2) Put a first aid kit in my Camelback, just I have in my climbing pack.
3) Get the 3 riders and Michael and Sarah a big thanks, and a beer (or two or three)...
So there ya go... That's the rest of the story. I'll be out on the trails again soon, perhaps just a little more cautiously. ;-)
Playing at Tuckerman Brewing on Saturday 5/24 from 4-7 with the Jim McLaughlin Group. We never know what we're going to do, but I promise that it WILL be fun.
If you're interested you can always see my schedule here:
http://www.alhospers.com/?PageName=2
Overall the trails are in god shape, tho occasionally a bit wet due to the amount of rain we've ben having. Check out the new JACK connector trail at the start of Swamp and the ever fun Up Both Ways across the road at the Albany Town Forest.
Up on one of the Mount Washington Valley's finest crags and want to know what that climb you're looking at is? Or maybe you're on your way up from Boston and want to check out the Ice Report for your upcoming weekend plans. Or more likely, you're at work just want to daydream about your next adventure. Well if you have a smart phone handy, you can get to NEClimbs from anywhere you have cell service. While it doesn't offer every single feature of the site and it's not an "app", in mobile form, it does do a whole lot and is very useful. Here is the live link to the mobile version of NEClimbs:
http://www.neclimbs.com/mobile
Check it out and if you have issues on your specific phone, please feel free to let me know.
Join us and LIKE us on Facebook. I'll try and post interesting pix every Thursday and the latest Ice Report in the season, tho certainly not the whole Report. Here's where you can check it out:
http://www.facebook.com/NEClimbs/
Remember - climb hard, ride the steep stuff, stay safe and above all BE NICE,
Al Hospers
The White Mountain Report
North Conway, New Hampshire
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| George Mallory |
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