Carne Mountain to High Pass (page 20)

Monday, September 10, 1990
Day 9: Oh, crap ...

High Pass heather bench

No one seemed to be around, so I grumbled aloud to myself as I passed by the blue tent in search of another site. After hunting around for a few moments and not finding anything adequate, I contemplated just heading down to the Napeequa. There was supposed to be a spectacularly-situated campsite about 1200' below. But that would mean giving up the heights and the photo opportunities this basin held. So I opted to take a not-so-great lumpy site that I found a little distance from the primo, occupied site.

After erecting the tent and getting everything arranged inside, I gratefully took off my boots and put on my camp slippers. A nice foot soak in the cold water was just what I needed! I grabbed my water bottles, clean shorts, tee shirt, and toiletry kit. Then Mica and I headed down to the lake, picking our way carefully through the loose rocks.

The water was absolutely frigid. The anticipated pleasant soak turned into a quick foot dip while I swished my dirty shorts and tee shirt around in a shallow little side-pool. Then I rinsed out my socks, rubbing off as much trail grime as is possible in cold water without soap. (Never, EVER pollute your drinking water!) When they seemed as clean as they were going to get, I filled my water bottles, grabbed my stuff and headed back to camp. With my arms full of semi-clean laundry, I started contemplating the evening's dinner menu.  Life seemed pretty good at that moment.

I remember thinking how, after the treacherous footing on the slopes about the lake, this was a piece of cake. I got a few yards away from the lake, then stepped upon a large flat rock. Even now, I can't fully express how startled I was when it shifted like a little teeter-totter, pitching me sideways into a fairly large boulder. Before I could regain my balance, let alone react to what was happening around me, the boulder fell, pinning my left ankle below it. There was a quick, dizzying bolt of pain and disorientation, but mostly bafflement at what had just happened. I sat there stupidly for a moment with my wet socks still clutched in my hands, looking at the big rock covering the inside of my ankle and shin.

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