Date: 2004-07-29
From: MA 2 (Redwood Motel)

To: .5 mi Short of Pine Cobble Trail (Redwood Motel)
Miles today: 2.3

Back to WilliamstownMileage Countdown: -594.0While clmbing out of Williamstown, just before reaching the crest of the ridge, I slipped on a wet boulder. When I put my hand down to break my fall it landed on the sharp edge of a rock, cutting the web between my right little and ring fingers.From that point on, I had the impression that I was watching my mind work. Within 5 seconds, after uttering all the appropriate expletives, I had determined that the wound was not life threatening, not even hike threatening. But it did need treatment, probably a couple of stitches. I quickly determined that the next paved road was nearly 20 miles ahead, so it would be necessary to hike back down to Williamstown, even though thru-hikers hate to hike backwards over ground already covered, me included.I then noticed that I had probably lost several tablespoons of blood, and remembered the essence of the many first aid courses I had taken - stop or at least slow the flow of blood. I searched around my first-aid kit, which was meager because of weight considerations, and found a patch of gauze, some adhesive tape, and a pair of rubber gloves. I folded the gauze and jammed it between my fingers, to soak up any blood that came out. I wrapped the two fingers in tape, tight enough to hold the gauze in place plus apply a little pressure, but not enough to cut off the circulation. I the put on the glove to catch any blood that might escape, and to provide more pressure to stop the bleeding. That must have been sufficiet, because when the doctor removed the glove a couple of hours later it looked the same, except for being covered by perspiration.Then I turned to climb downhill. I had about 100 yds of boulders to descend through before getting to leveller ground. Descending is always harder than ascending, because if you fall, there's no stopping. In addition, one hand was disabled so I couldn't use my poles as effectively. You can bet I was extremely cautious coming down those boulders, but finally made it.The Trail comes out on Rt 2 about halfway between North Adams and Williamstown. I had driven that stretch of road dozens of times, but couldn't remember a hospital anywhere. I found myself favoring Williamstown as a direction to go, mostly because I am much more familiar with that town.Fortunately, when I got to the road there was a mail truck parked. A mailman was walking the neighborhood making his deliveries. I quickly found him and was told that there was a hospital in N Adams, about 3 mi away, but probably none in Wmstown. So I started hiking towards N Adams, not relishing what would probably be an hour hike in hot sun with a hand that was beginning to throb.Then I made my most successful 'yogi' to date. ('Yogi' is a thru-hiker term for asking for something without directly asking for it, and getting it.) I went into a gas station to ask directions to the hospital, and noticed someone filling his tank (a new, bright red BMW 328i). When I asked him if he knew where there was a hospital with an emergency room, right on cue he asked me it I was injured. When I told him I thought I needed stitches, he immediately offered to drive me there. How could I refuse, even though I felt bad about sitting my hiker funk down on his nice, new leather upholstery. Thanks, Scott. You are a life saver, if not literally at least figuratively!The ER staff was both efficient and friendly, even calling my doctor in Groton to see when I had last had a tetanus shot. I was done 45 minutes after I came through the door. Thanks Dr Rodriguez, and everyone else.At the N Adams hospital there is a orthopedist, Dr White, who apparently has a standing order with the ER to meet any thru-hikers who show up there (and they don't seem to be rare :-)). Dr White is a thru-hiker himself, White Rabbit, AT99. He offered to drive me back to Wmstown, and regalled me with stories of the Trail, and of thru-hikers he had met at the ER until he dropped me on the main shopping street there so I could get a good lunch and visit the outfitters. Thanks, Dr White!By the time I had finished shopping, I had decided to stay in town and not go out on the Trail again until tomorrow. So I called around for a motel room. I turned down a room for $20 less but 5 mi from the Trail in favor of the Redwood where I stayed last night. I know I badmouthed the Redwood yesterday, and still think that $90 for a room without a telephone is outrageous. But I also need to acknowledge that as soon as the owner heard that I had injured myself, she offered to come downtown to pick me up. Thanks, Ms Redwood.So here I sit, on the same bench outside the Stop & Shop where I was yesterday, composing today's journal entry as I did then. Tomorrow at this time I fully expect to be in Vermont.