This is another sad story from the trail. Long Falls Dam Road is the one with 2000 painted in the middle of the road.
oLd Goat
Hiker dies on AT in Maine
system
#3
That’s a pretty mellow stretch of trail. All it takes is slipping the wrong way on a wet log, though. In fact that happened to me a few years ago between Little Bigelow shelter and Long Falls Dam Rd. It’s easy to find yourself being less vigilant when the trail is wide and easy going and you’re enjoying the little break from all the rough climbing.
entropy
system
#4
You know I think it was actually a wet slippery bog bridge rather than a log that I slipped on. This was on the straightaway downhill grade nobo to the road with the 2000 mile marker. Probably less than a mile from that road. I remember thinking “damn, didn’t see that one coming.”
entropy
system
#5
I almost died from a small fall in the smokies. I slipped and fell and hit my head hard on a rock. The only thing that saved me was that I managed to get my hiking pole out just enough to stay my fall. As it was I saw some major stars. You always think you’ll die from something dramatic on the trail: bears, falling off a cliff, getting lost. I’m guessing most deaths are from simple falls like this.
RIP hiker.:cheers
jalan
system
#6
I fell on the Hunt Trail at Katahdin 3 years ago (at age 59) and smashed my temple area on a rock and fractured my shoulder. This happened as I plunged head first down a 10’drop when I slipped on loose gravel at the top of the pitch. Only thing that saved me was being a hard headed Maine Yankee! It is very upsetting to have a fall like this. I am just starting a ME section hike next week so this reminds me yet again of the dangers on the trail.
Acadienne
system
#7
Good reflexes are important with respect to getting your hands out in front of you in that first, blind moment of confusion as you start to fall. Hiking poles stand in the way of this reflex, so it takes practice before you can immediately release the poles to free your hands. A lot of hikers practice with training hikes, ice axe self-arrest courses, and whatnot depending on the trail. But to practice falling safely, instinctively, and correctly is probably a worthwhile effort as well. Bring a helmet, bicycle gloves, maybe some knee and elbow pads, and go find a rocky trail to fall down on. Start with a light pack. And try to avoid carrying too much weight on the trail, which greatly magnifies the likelihood and dangers of a fall.
blue spruce
system
#8
Gee, practicing to fall by falling. Hummm? Does anyone know the hikers name yet? ie: trail name? Was he posting on “trailjournals?”
Virginian