Baldy ... just once

Rick Kent · Post by **Rick Kent** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 12:21 pm

It's been 15 weeks since my ankle was broken. Last weekend I finally did a successful canyon descent in Death Valley (a new fork of Styx Canyon) with some friends. Yesterday I tagged my first summit: Mount Baldy via the bowl. This was another test to see where I was at. Everything went about as I expected. Going up was much easier than going down. Walking on hard uneven snow on the way down was pretty stressful on the ankle and so I had to go slow and careful. Felt good to get back off the snow and onto the trail again. By the time I reached the car I was starting to limp pretty bad. I think I gave it as much exercise as I could without hurting it. Although I came alone I ended up hiking with Shin, Jack Cheng, and others when I was recognized at the ski hut.

I still have no idea if I'll ever be able to do extreme hikes again but if nothing else it looks like I can do typical stuff. The pain while hiking isn't fun but ibuprofin helps a great deal.

So anyway, I apologize for making a post about only reaching the summit once. After having summited Baldy 5 times in a single day it felt right that this should be the first peak I returned to.

-Rick

AlanK · Post by **AlanK** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 2:25 pm

Rick Kent wrote: ↑So anyway, I apologize for making a post about only reaching the summit once. After having summited Baldy 5 times in a single day it felt right that this should be the first peak I returned to.

I think that this TR is as big a deal as your 5 summits in a day one. It's great to see that you are hitting summits again. I hope that you experience continual improvement!

Post by **Hikin_Jim** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:23 pm

WAY TO GO, RICK!!! Thanks for that TR. In many ways, I consider this 1x TR to be far more significant than a 5x TR. This is great news.

HJ

atomicoyote · Post by **atomicoyote** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 4:53 pm

Just keep at it at a pace that doesn't do futher damage (or re-damage). Doing a dayhike on Baldy at any time of year is more than most folks in the flatlands can do.

If there's a silver lining, at least it was an accident instead of aging. With an accident you know you're gonna be screwed up for a while, but you can come back. Aging just takes over your body and you eventually just have to accept the fact you're not the 'hot shot' you once were; the mind may be willing, but the body ain't gonna cooperate no more.

lilbitmo · Post by **lilbitmo** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 5:24 pm

Just glad you are back Rick

- hope it's feeling better today.

Hopefully you can keep making progress with it to the point that it doesn't bother you on any hike that is within reason.

You guys got all the good weather up there yesterday - today it was "Whiteout Conditions" with winds well in excess of 40+ but a great climb up Goode Canyon to the summit just the same - Sam Page will post a trip report by tomorrow.

obie · Post by **obie** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 7:37 pm

Rick Kent wrote: ↑ go slow and careful.

And keep on truckin'... 8)

norma r · Post by **norma r** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 9:02 pm

Welcome back! Happy to know you're back on the trails and in the canyons.

Post by **Taco** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 11:55 pm

I think you'll be doing extreme stuff again in time... 8) maybe you'll do different stuff extreme-ly.

hvydrt · Post by **hvydrt** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 7:47 am

Good job! Only 15 weeks!!!, its amazing how fast the human body can heal.

He219 · Post by **He219** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 12:34 pm

Well done, Rick!
Good to see you back in the saddle again.
Cheers-

RichardK · Post by **RichardK** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 1:53 pm

Although we have never met, I have always enjoyed reading about your adventures. Congratulations on your recovery.

Ellen · Post by **Ellen** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:21 pm

Howdy Superman

Congratulations 8) I hurt the most and limped the worst after my first hike (Skyline) four months after my ankle fracture/dislocation. Hurt a bit less after San Bernardino Peak the following week and less again on Fuller Ridge one week later. About five months out I did Vivian and could tell I had turned a corner.

You are an incredible athlete (mentally and physically) and will make a complete recovery. Won't be long before I'll have to put Kryptonite on Skyline so I can slow you down enough to see you fly by

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

Ze Hiker · Post by **Ze Hiker** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 5:58 pm

great job Rick!

just don't try anything really tough too quickly, and you'll be back in great form