Date: 2006-06-02
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Summit
Miles today: 8.5

Well the day again started about 7AM. We hit the trail in extreme humid, wet, and slippery conditions. The hike up to Dan's Pulpit was harder than usual because of the high humidity, it made it real hard to catch your breath. There were several rock scrambles and numerous rocky trail parts which made the walking very difficult. We made the 7.4 miles to Allentown Shelter by 11:50AM and decided to have some lunch and water up before continuing on. We are hoping to get another 4 to 6 miles in today to start increasing our daily mileage to the 12-15 mile range. We left Allentown Shelter about 1PM, fed and with fresh water for the rest of the day. As we left the shelter it began to rain lightly which in turn only made things real slick once again. After having gone only about a mile down the forest road from the shelter, I heard a loud snapping sound and heard Root groan in a manner that I won't soon forget. As I turned back to her, I saw her sprawled in the middle of the trail in a very awkward position. I then ran back and helped her to a sitting position. She said she was unable to move her foot or leg and was in extreme pain. Her skin tone had gone to an ashen color and she thought she was in danger of passing out. After a brief period we were able to get her into a suitable sitting position with her leg elevated to relieve as much pain as possible. Say what you will, but Thank God for cell phones and being in a service area. I was able to contact her brother (who lives in the area) and give him our approximate position on the trail. He was then able to contact the appropriate emergency departments to respond and assist us. As it turned out we were in an area that bordered two/three jurisdictions and help arrived in full force approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours later. Two four-wheelers first appeared and then a four-wheel drive pickup truck arrived. She was then placed into a Stokes Basket and then lifted into the bed of the pickup truck. After a short ride she was then transfered into a waiting ambulance for a 20-30 minute ride to the Palmerton Hospital. The location of the accident could not have been in a better place for evacuation. Had it been 5 miles farther back up the trail, we would have been in serious trouble for rescue. After X-rays it was found that she had a spiral fracture of the left ankle. At approximately 7:30pm her brother arrived at the hospital and had made arrangements to transport us back home to Wellsboro PA area where we arrived about 12AM. I would like to thank the Linncourt Community Volunteer Fire Dept. first to arrive and administer first-aid as well as the West Penn. Community Volunteer Fire Dept. and the Northwestern Ambulance Corps. Steve and the staff at the Palmerton Hospital were GREAT and I can't say enough about their kindness and professionalism.I am not sure just what my future plans are but I am going to make every attempt to get back on the trail somewhere. So far this year I have had broken bones, bronchitis and my hiking partner has broken her ankle. I am not quite sure if it's me or a series of unfortunate events that have plagued me. One begins to wonder if this hiking is all it's "Cracked" up to be, but not one to give up I am making every attempt to get back out within the next few weeks.   Hang in there - we might yet GIT-R-DONE.