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Nothing like a brisk hike in freezing temps to kick off the New Year! I had ulterior motives for this hike…I wanted to try out my new Esbit stove…but I will get to that later. So off we go! A balmy 25 degrees as I sat and shivered waiting for my car to heat up. […]
Wilderness First Aid? Should I do this? Do I need this?
The contemplation of taking this class initially worried me a little bit…what if I was trying to help someone and I hurt them instead? When it comes to blood and guts I am not squeamish, in fact my curiosity takes over and I actually like it…not that I want anyone to be in that state…but if I came upon someone that had, say, major wounds I am okay with dealing with it in a calm manner. So if a counselor is needed, I feel I could talk down a patient and keep them calm…BUT…my confidence for being able to actually HELP medically …um…um…well, I could assist them in dying with dignity.
Recognizing this shortcoming in myself meant I needed to do something about it. So should I do this? Yes. Biting my bottom lip and furrowing my brow, I completed the online registration and clicked “Submit”. Submit, yes, submitting. Submitting to the unknown, the scary, the idea that now I would be truly responsible for helping in a medical emergency out on the trail. I submitted.
And I DO need this! I am a hike leader for the Trail Dames of Maryland with basic first aid and CPR. I need more training. My desire to keep the Dames safe supersedes my fear that I could do something wrong.
Well, there it is. I felt like I would do it wrong. It is that fear that has kept me from so many things. I have to overcome the fear of failure in order to do every single little thing in my life. I stayed out of college for far too long because I was afraid to fail (I didn’t), in a partnership with someone for far to long because I feared I couldn’t do it on my own (I was wrong) AND feared I would screw up my kids life (nope, he is awesome)…and here I was again, facing down the fear of failure. But I did it!! Yay! 🙂 🙂
So off I went Saturday morning to the Emergency Response Training Center. It was raining. It was cold. oh joy. I dressed in layers and rain gear taking my orange Osprey day pack filled with goodies for the day. I got there with no problem and found coffee cake and coffee! Nice welcome! Saleena and Dave DeVore, our fearless leaders for the day, welcomed all of us and after initial introductions started instruction. But let me just stop here to say that I WAS THE ONLY FEMALE!!!
Why do I need to say that? Because it matters to me and that is reason enough. I didn’t mind too much…but felt that at least on one of the training activities I was singled out to be a scout because the designated “leader” didn’t think me capable of carrying the litter. Saleena turned to me and said “They always do that, they always single out the women.” I told her that it pissed me off until I saw they had to carry the litter (with patient) down a steep, muddy, slippery hill complete with obstacle they had to go under with patient and litter. Yeah, go to it guys…knock yourselves out…and you know what? I am secretly hash tagging you, leader guy. 😉
The first day of training ended with a first aid kit shake down that was pretty funny and emasculating! Very informative and I learned a great deal from Saleena about what is “really” needed and what can be left at home. Bottom line…my kit needed a little bolstering. Especially for a hike leader! I added a SAM splint and an emergency blanket with plans on adding better width ace bandage and a variety of other little updates.
The funniest item to add to the kit came on day two when we discussed bleeding. Saleena asked us what we could use out of our packs to use as a dressing. Typical answers like bandanas, socks and cotton shirts were thrown out. Then Saleena whips out a post partum maternity pad out of her kit…oh, the looks on a few of the guys faces!!!!! Too funny, and WHAT A GREAT IDEA!!!
The second day ended with a culminating activity to reinforce what we had learned during the previous 48 hours. Three victims were placed in the woods along the trail. They had a variety of life threatening injuries as they had been “attacked by a bear”. My patient had been impaled by a stick (through the stomach), and the bear had taken a chunk out of her arm and shoulder. Just for kicks they threw in that she was diabetic. It was tough to think under pressure and not get caught up in the most obvious injury! Afterward, we had a breakout session to discuss what went right and what could have gone better. It was a great experience!
I come away feeling more confident for sure and would recommend everyone who hikes to get this training!
My next step is to peruse YouTube to learn more and to practice!! In addition, I am planning to act as a victim for upcoming WFA trainings because I think there is a lot to learn in that role as well…and being covered in blood and guts…how fun!
Hike On!
I will remember this day as hiking through the sky with Dames, then descending into the valley with Angels.
Before all of this, however, was donuts. Tenacious D was driving and I had hitched a ride to the trail head since my car is no longer to be trusted on long trips. I felt very grateful to have a ride down to Virginia for this section hike and stopped at Dunkin Donuts on my way to meet Tenacious D for coffee and donuts as a token of appreciation for the ride.
Wow, it was raining. and cold. and windy. Glad I put gloves and hat in the back pack before I left!
We were the last to arrive at the trail head…Tenacious D says being a bus driver for so many years makes her just drive slow all the time! I didn’t mind, we weren’t more than 3 – 4 minutes late, and the drive had been lovely. We pulled over and rolled down the window as Dirigo (the hike leader today) approached. She asked “Can you all help shuttle?” “Sure!” Another Dame jumped in and away we went up into Shenandoah National Park.
We met up with everyone at Compton Gap trail head, about 10 miles into the park. Donning our layers, rain jackets, hats, gloves, and grabbing our hiking poles we set off into the foggy woods. Pretty easy walking, although it began to rain making me wish I hadn’t left my big red poncho back in my car before riding down with Tenacious D. Oh well, my rain jacket, plus layers did a fine job anyway!
Tenacious D enjoying the trail!
The forest was magical with the heavy fog. Lines between heaven and earth were smudged giving everything a soft ethereal glow. It felt like we were part of the sky. Then my eye would catch a tree with its brilliantly colored leaves in the forest reminding me that the sky had descended on the mountain, we had not risen to the sky.
We reached Possum’s Rest, which on a clear day has a beautiful view, without much trouble. Today, all one could see was the fog. Coming down from Possum’s Rest was a little tricky! We were climbing down from the ridge and it was a sharp decline, even with the switchbacks, littered with wet leaves and rocks. It was slow going…but no one fell, no one slipped!
Just before reaching the Tom Floyd Wayside, we heard barking. Lake Front Royal is a neighborhood which backs up to the AT, so the dog was probably over there. Happy to get out of the rain we sat down for lunch at the shelter. A PB&J and half a bag of cheezits later I was feeling quite content. I stretched out my legs and sat there looking out into the mist.
Tom Floyd Wayside
There is was…that barking again…louder this time. We discussed where the dog could be, then brushed it aside as we packed up and left the shelter. Headed downhill, then all of the sudden there it was, a small older beagle, lost, cold, wet, shivering, and very scared. She came right up to me. It was clear she needed help. At first we got her to follow us, but soon realized she needed to be carried as her paws were rubbed raw. I carried her for awhile,
then Python cleared out her backpack and together we fit her inside. She loved that! So cozy! And that is how Python packed her out. As we continued towards Rt. 522 we passed directly by a few houses in Lake Front Royal. Python asked a guy out on his deck if he knew anyone who had lost a beagle. He didn’t but turned to get his wife. Turns out the wife works in a vet clinic and offered to take the dog so they could follow up on the license number and scan for a microchip.
So you see, the Dames had become Angels arriving at just the right time and place for this lucky little pup. I am ever so happy she spent the night inside, safe and warm.
A Journey Taken
Hike on.
This has been an amazing Autumn day. It started with bright sun and temps in the sixties…a perfect day to climb Bob’s Hill in Cunningham Falls State Park. This was my first time up to Bob’s Hill, although I am familiar with the area having climbed to Cat Rock, Chimney Rocks, and other high points in the Catoctin range.
Filling the bladder with water and tucking a couple of sandwiches, in addition to some cheese for Sidekick Pauli, into the pack, I realized it would not be so easy to slip out of the house with only one dog in tow! Little Caesar helped me placate the other canines with a plan that had us walking all three dogs around the block, then quickly leading two, who were not going, back into the house, while Sidekick Pauli got into the back of the car! It worked!
If you are headed to Bob’s Hill, then I would suggest parking at Catoctin Furnace. It is free to park at the furnace, and it is a pretty interesting site to look around. The Ironmaster’s house, which is in ruins, is well worth a look see.
The Ironmaster’s house ruins
Head up the short hill from the parking lot to pick up the trail that will lead to the Manor area of Cunningham Falls State Park. This is a short trail, about 1/4 mile, but has some interesting features such at the Bowstring Arch bridge. This beautiful, historic bridge takes you across Little Hunting Creek as you head toward the elevated bridge crossing Route 15 (pretty much a super highway!).
There are several hiking trails in the Cunningham Falls SP/Catoctin Mountain Park area. A great map of the trails is provided by the National Park Service.
Once across Route 15, Sidekick Pauli and I took a little break at the creek. The sun was breaking through golden leaves making the water sparkle as it spilled over the rocks. Sidekick Pauli couldn’t resist stepping into the cool stream as she bent to take a drink. After trying the water in several spots, finding them all absolutely delightful, she turned to me with a big smile on her face! Ready to go, Papa? Oh yes, ready to go!
We walked along the creek looking for the blue blazes that mark the Catoctin Trail. We found it without too much difficulty and headed to the right and up the hill. I was surprised and pleased to find that I did not need to stop to catch my breath on the way up to Bob’s Hill overlook. A few times I stopped briefly to take in the fall splendor and listen to the wind as it roared up from the valley. The wind was ferocious at times, pushing the trees aside allowing me a glimpse of crystal blue sky. Ahhhhh!
All the way up to the overlook we were alone! It was wonderful!
We checked out the overlook to the right first. Then we backtracked and headed to the overlook on the other side. I don’t know which I liked better! We sat down to eat our snack at the second overlook.
It was one of those moments that you want to stay in forever. The gusting wind caused several leaves to let loose and fly. The sunlight made the color of the leaves sparkle as they were carried by the wind off the mountain and down into the hollow. I felt all at once like I was part of the mountain. I let the wind push against me and instead of turning away from it, I looked up into it, feeling it make my eyes tear up and sting my cheeks. I took a deep breath as it blew, the freshness of it filling me up. I did a sideways glance to check on Pauli and found she too had her nose turned up to greet the wind! It was just one of those moments.
Leaving the overlook several minutes later we continued toward Cat Rock. I had no plans to visit Cat Rock today, but I wasn’t ready to turn around and head back to the car yet. Plus, we were now on the ridge which was easy walking!
Easy walking means I was able to just let my thoughts wander. I thought about life, work, hiking, dogs, cats, … then something popped into my head that made me pause. A woman said to me the other day that she wasn’t a strong hiker because she was so slow. It bothered me. It bothered me because strong is not the same as fast. I consider myself a strong hiker, but I hike at a steady 2 mph pace in the mountains. I have been hiking for a long time, have confidence in my abilities, and know when I should challenge myself and when I should turn back. But I am not fast.
I thought about this because I was thinking this hike up Bob’s Hill is a moderate hike. I think anyone could do it. When I say anyone could do it, I mean, anyone could do it in a time that is right for them.
I want to yell passionately at that woman to stop berating herself. I wanted to tell her, “If you run out of breath…stop and breathe! Look around the woods; enjoy the moment! Take your time and love that you are on the mountain! This is your life!”
Hike on!!!!
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Do you know what it feels like to walk down a trail and not know what is around the next bend? Many of the trails I walk are well worn paths that I have walked routinely for years…so there is nothing that sparks my curiosity like a new trail to explore! Virginia has recently created or […]
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So here I was in the midst of teaching Calculus for the first time and while I was delighted in that assignment…the task of preparing lessons was sucking my summer right down the drain. I felt unbalanced, like a stool that is missing a leg. But then, finally, a day arrived that I could truly […]
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Day 2 Saturday May 24, 2014 Darlington Shelter to Duncannon, PA (Staying at the Stardust Motel) I fell today. Yes, a sacrifice to the trail gods was necessary before the descent into Duncannon. As usual for me it was on the least rocky section of trail…I loosen my focus for 2 seconds…skinned my right knee […]
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March 16, 2014 Two days and a night at Milesburn cabin with the Trail Dames? Oh, Let’s go! 🙂 Trail Dames Maryland had rented Milesburn cabin, a PATC cabin, in Michaux State Forest for the weekend. I had signed on for Friday and Saturday with planned hikes on the AT each day. So north on 15, west on […]
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Okay, seriously, Spring? It was 18 degrees when I left my house at 7:30 AM! The saving grace was it was bright, sunny and no wind. Sidekick Pauli was eager to get outside and stretch her four legs. So after a quick stop at 7-Eleven for a block of cheese we headed for Gambrill SP […]
Girl Gone Hiking 