Introduction
In dim light, I stretch my legs; crisp autumn air nips at my skin. I nestle into a down vest and watch the sun crest the mountain horizon. Golden rays shimmer through the cedars and dance on my face.
In seconds, I was reduced to a howling wretch, helpless as a young child.
In February 2015, a traumatic farming accident landed me in the hospital. Three 1,800 lb (816 kg) bulls crushed my entire upper body between two steel cattle panels and left me physically broken and devastated. I’m petite with a willowy frame, yet I have a reputation as an outspoken firebrand. I’ve been a risk taker, a tenacious hurricane force to be reckoned with. In seconds, I was reduced to a howling wretch, helpless as a young child.
Accidents and illnesses happen: real people are damaged. Standing at the trailhead, I mentally relived my spine and clavicle snapping, rib cage strangling my lungs, throbbing arms and shoulders, and my un-restrainable screams. I felt the faded echoes of injuries, but swallowed their memories, ignored physical discomfort, rearranged my gear, and discarded my years of experience.
It was time to start over.
This is the story of my return to the backcountry. It includes information about my recovery and training, and the story of my re-entry trip in the Canadian Rockies (and of course, my gear list!).
My Recovery
My injuries led me down a grueling trail of recovery.
For two months, I was dependent on prescription painkillers to remain conscious through pain. By September 2015, months of over-the-counter painkillers and prescription muscle relaxants had provided some relief from frequent inflammation and muscle spasms. Though I tried to use them infrequently, my normal opposition to taking medications was suppressed in the face of pain.
I lost significant muscle mass that left me questioning whether or not I’d be backpacking any time soon. Not long ago, I needed help just to shower and dress. For months, I gritted my teeth in agony and staggered from bed. I spent eight months crawling back from injuries, and I had been training for the last month for backpacking. Before the injury, I seldom faced doubt about going into the backcountry. At the trailhead, I doubted myself completely as I faced the prospect of what seemed like my first ever trip into the backcountry.
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Companion forum thread to: My Journey from Injury to the Canadian Rockies
In February of 2015, a traumatic farming accident landed me in the hospital. Three 1800 pound (816 kg) bulls crushed my entire upper body between two steel cattle panels and left me physically broken and devastated. This is the story of my return to the backcountry. It includes information about my recovery and training, the story of my re-entry trip in the Canadian Rockies, and of course, my gear list!
Thanks so much for sharing. Very inspirational.
So very sorry about your injury but it was wonderful to read about your recovery and return to wilderness. Photos were wonderful.
Best wishes.
My hope is someone out there who goes through an injury finds their way to the backcountry as a result. I was very fortunate in how little permanent damage happened but I cannot put a price on how much my friends, family, physiotherapist, acupuncturist, chiropractor, massage therapist and medical doctor did to support me healing properly.
I missed this first time round – perhaps many others missed it too, since it deserves many more comments. An inspiring read.
I just read this after reading your West coast story. You are one tough lady! Thanks for writing. It’s very inspiring- I have a lot of pain, but nothing like you’ve been through.
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