Injured in the backcountry

[Fartrell Cluggins]

I hope you heal quickly and completely. Gorilla tape is great to have.

 

[Backyard]

When I saw my Dr after getting back from my trip, he showed me how to use Leukotape to create an emergency patellar support to help keep in place if needed, so you can get out of the backcountry bit easier.


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[type2bowhunter]

When I saw my Dr after getting back from my trip, he showed me how to use Leukotape to create an emergency patellar support to help keep in place if needed, so you can get out of the backcountry bit easier.


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Interesting, I do carry leuko, I'll have to look that up.

 

[Backyard]

Interesting, I do carry leuko, I'll have to look that up.

Same.
You basically just horseshoe around it forcing and keeping it towards the ruptured side.


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[type2bowhunter]

Same.
You basically just horseshoe around it forcing and keeping it towards the ruptured side.


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Yeah ok I can visualize that. Let's hope we never have to do it.

 

[Beendare]

I don't think there's anything I could have done it was really just one of those freak accidents. Obviously being more careful is always a hindsight kinda deal. I did however have tendinitis in that patella for a while and perhaps could have done more to heal it properly. And you are correct, being deliberate with every step is crucial.

Yeah, stuff just happens sometimes.

Someone mention the previous issue being a contributing factor and I can see that. Less flexibility and or pain restricting movement in your knee even subtle.

On that steep slippery stuff, if we aren't bending our knees at a high angle putting the foot flat on the downward angled surface we will slip easier.

 

[Petergon]

I am currently lying in bed several hours post surgery. I am zonked on hydrocodone but unable to sleep, I've got an immobilizing brace on my left leg which has made falling asleep a seemingly laughable proposition. I don't know exactly why I intend on summarizing what happened to me here on rokslide, but I believe it'll help me close the door on the injury and motivate me to attack my rehabilitation. And, if somewhere down the line my story can help someone else, great.

If you couldn't tell by my username I am a huge fan of difficult hunts. I'm a bow only guy and the more difficult the terrain and the animal, the better. I am a fairly experienced ultrarunner and a life long gym rat. Some may call me a glutton for punishment, or perhaps a masochist. Back in May I was so stoked to have drawn an archery ibex tag for the Florida Mountains of New Mexico.

As October was approaching the excitement was growing, my hunting partner Steven was meeting me out there and we intended on giving er hell for at least a week to try and put one of these elusive goats on the ground. Considering that Steven and I hunt deer in Southern California, the fact of low population numbers, heat, and rattlesnakes didn't bother us one bit. We are used to chasing ghosts and our hometown hunt is the most overgrown, dry, snake infested country I've ever been.

We spent the first few days trying to understand the animal and the country, neither of us had any experience with ibex and had never been to the Florida's. It was the 4th day of the hunt that we got our first real opportunity.
View attachment 780182
I was unable to get above this goat given his location but I was able to get below him, about 90 yards. He ended up winding me and taking off, never offering a chance at a shot. But confidence was growing.

The following morning I hiked up to the top of mountain with 3 gallons of water and my camp. The goal was to start at the top and hopefully get lucky. Steven found the biggest ibex we had seen thus far on that day. He was tucked into a cave on a cliff face that seemed impossible to get to.
View attachment 780183

We waited all day to see if he would move and he literally sat in the cave for 12 hours. The next morning, October 6th, there was about 15 ibex feeding on the mountain about 600 feet below me. Steven and I were in communication and as I peaked over the edge of the cliff, they saw me. They began to move up the mountain and to my right. I knew exactly where they were headed so I busted my ass over there hoping to intercept them. My plan nearly worked, I was able to get to 88 yards from a billy but as I drew back he took off. It was really exciting, but I was feeling dejected knowing that Steven had to leave the following day, I thought that that may have been our last chance.

Not long after, Steven called me to tell me that the big billy was not with the group and was actually back in the same cave from the day before! Unbelievable! We were set on figuring out a way to get as close as possible. I was walking heavy-footed down hill on some loose gravely type of terrain when my left foot slipped out, my knee hyperextended and I felt a pop. The pain was really intense and I hit the ground hard and immediately knew that I was in trouble. I've never had a serious knee injury but I knew that I had just ruptured my patellar tendon.

I called Steven and told him he better start hiking up with an empty pack. It's hard to even explain the roller coaster of emotions that I was going through in that moment. Would I have to hit the SOS button? How the **** am I going to get off of this mountain? I nearly passed out from the shock and the pain, I did some very deep, heavy breathing that I think kept me conscious. Despite the warm weather I got really cold and sweaty to the point where I had to put on my windbreaker (the only layer I had considering the hot temps) and wrap myself in my tarp. I'm not going to lie, that was a tough 2 hours sitting there waiting for Steven. I shed some tears, talked to Jesus, and had a pretty emotional phone call with my girl.

Steven showed up. It was about 10 am now. My leg was completely useless, I couldn't bend my knee at all, but fortunately I could put weight on the leg and the pain was manageable, but only if I kept the leg completely straight. The slightest bit of bend in the knee was 10/10 pain. Steven brought up some gorilla tape with him which ended up being clutch. We taped the knee in a straight position and I was determined to get off that mountain on my own 2 feet.
View attachment 780191

The route down was awful. It was only 2 miles but it was down 2,000 feet, all off trail and loose as hell. I had to move so slow and given the situation, I actually had to step with my bad leg downhill, anchor my poles and essentially do a pistol squat with my good leg. Rinse and repeat. It took us 8 hours to get back to the truck. What a slog. Steven carried all of my stuff, my camp, my bow, he even strapped my pack to his. I still get emotional thinking about the gratitude I felt that day. He didn't save my life but he sure made a shitty situation much more manageable for me.

To put salt in the wound, the next day I had to drive 14 hours back to southern California. The driving wasn't too bad considering I was able to scoot my seat back and keep my left leg straight. It was getting out to get gas that sucked the most. Well I made it back, saw my doctor, did the mri and eventually consulted with an orthopedic surgeon and he confirmed my suspicion. Ruptured patellar tendon, one of the worst sports injuries there is.

Like I said, surgery was today and the rehab begins asap. I'm looking at 12-18 months for a full recovery, but I should be good to hunt next fall. Everything is a blessing with the right perspective .

Thanks for reading and if I can give any advice it would be find yourself a hunting partner like Steven.

That mountain is no joke! My buddy had that hunt a few years ago and hiked up and down every day. I glassed from the bottom. He was successful on the last day. Hope you're doing well.

 

[Jethro]

I think you handled it well. Good luck with repair and recovery. Only thing I could think of is if your buddy had trek poles, could have taped in a few pieces to use as splint.

What boots were you wearing?

 

[type2bowhunter]

I think you handled it well. Good luck with repair and recovery. Only thing I could think of is if your buddy had trek poles, could have taped in a few pieces to use as splint.

What boots were you wearing?

It crossed my mind the trekking pole idea. The double layer of gorilla tape actually did a pretty good job. I put the 2nd layer on about 20% of the way down the mountain and that really solidified it. I usually wear crispis but this time I had some salomon boots on for all of the rock climbing and hopping I was doing. I don't believe the shoes were a factor in the slip I really think it comes down to what you initially said and that's being deliberate with each step. That steep and technical terrain really does take max focus.

 

[BTLowry]

That sounds rough

Good reminder that having a buddy on these type of hunts is the best plan.
Hang on to your hunting buddy, sounds like he is a good one

Hope the recovery goes well and you are back chasing critters like before

 

[JoMa]

Sorry to hear about your accident. Wishing you a speedy and full recovery.

I had a similar situation last year archery hunting elk. My right foot slipped on some loose gravel while my left leg folded behind me as I fell backwards. My body came down on my left leg and I ended up with a maisonneuve fracture (broken tibia and fibula). I had to hike out 3 miles with ~2,000 ft of vertical drop. Luckily my son and brother-in-law were along to help pack my gear out. My son always makes fun of my “old man trekking poles”, but they sure came in handy on the hike out that day.

 

[gentleman4561]

Ouch! Prayers sent for a speedy recovery.

 

[type2bowhunter]

Sorry to hear about your accident. Wishing you a speedy and full recovery.

I had a similar situation last year archery hunting elk. My right foot slipped on some loose gravel while my left leg folded behind me as I fell backwards. My body came down on my left leg and I ended up with a maisonneuve fracture (broken tibia and fibula). I had to hike out 3 miles with ~2,000 ft of vertical drop. Luckily my son and brother-in-law were along to help pack my gear out. My son always makes fun of my “old man trekking poles”, but they sure came in handy on the hike out that day.

Yeah any backcountry hunter should bring poles.