WHY!!!! I had to call 911 from Franconia Ridge

[Homer&Marje]

Our second day up in the White Mountains we stayed an extra night (planned) at Liberty Spring Tentsite. Myself and my 14 year old brother in law Walker Skinny Ranger decided to do a 5 mile out and back to the top of Mt. Lincoln on Franconia Ridge.

When we were on our way in between Lincoln and Little Haystack, we saw 3 kids bouldering with their packs on up this rock.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ldP-jp9aBzY/SmD0sO-8oUI/AAAAAAAACb8/e6HvVy9bPFs/s512/SDC11630.JPG


Then I saw one of them pitch backwards 25' and land off to the bottom right in the bushes. This is how it happened.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ldP-jp9aBzY/SmD0s8H1j8I/AAAAAAAACcA/DauBlIW_sj0/s512/SDC11631.JPG

Anyone know what happened to this kid? I got in touch with 911 from the top of this rock....I used the trail....but I got cut off. Someone had an Ace Bandage that was wrapped around his head, and by the time I was back from the phone call he was sitting up but very shaky.

He was advised of an AMC guide on Lafayette that might be able to further assist him, at least from there he could have gotten to Greenleaf hut in 1 mile or so....scary **** man....don't want to ever see a pool of blood coming out of someones head while hiking again.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ldP-jp9aBzY/SmD0tVwqW0I/AAAAAAAACcE/OoJrWFoCd0s/s400/SDC11633.JPG

This is the rock he ended up on in the bushes. Consider it a reminder to be smart.

[Tin Man]

When were you there? I just passed over the ridge earlier this week and stayed at Liberty Spring.

[Homer&Marje]

I was at Liberty Saturday and Sunday night, Sunday we did the day hike to the ridge for this incident, and we hiked over the ridge to Garfield on Monday.

[Tin Man]

No kidding.... I hiked with 7 scouts and 2 adults from 13 Falls to Garfield Pond via Galehead on Monday and from Garfield Pond to Liberty Spring on Tuesday.

[Homer&Marje]

Just missed ya. How bout them steeps up to Garfield...had trouble with that 900' + quarter mile with the wife's knees...how did the scouts like it? Been one of my favorite hikes since I was a kid

[Tin Man]

The boys loved it, especially hiking up the waterfall. SM had other things to say though - his knee did not like it much.

[Tin Man]

The Garfield caretaker warned us he rescued 5 hikers so far this year - broken bones mostly. It is a tough little climb for sure.

[Homer&Marje]

Uh yea. Both Marje's knees were real bad...good thing she brought her ski poles to use instead of a solo hiking stick...although I hate the aluminum poles and have made her another hiking stick (found the wood in Sages Ravine) but have not fully carved it due to the surgery...needs some sanding and linseed oil too...I digress.

But ya it was tricky going down...super super slick and slow tough going....have you hiked that section of Franconia Brook trail down to 13 Falls or have you just done Twin Brook? Franconia brooks top section is un maintained and a user only trail...it's fantastic though and really pristine..highly suggest it, a little muddy but if us 3 can do it any one can:D

[Tin Man]

I was trying to keep these greenhorns moving by skipping as many steep ascents or descents as possible. If you like steep and haven't tried it yet, I highly recommend the upper part of the Madison Gulf Trail.

[Homer&Marje]

I heard that and Owls Head are super steep...but how do you get steeper:-?

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ldP-jp9aBzY/SmD1yQCLNDI/AAAAAAAACfU/lktDz867TH4/s512/SDC11711.JPG

[Tin Man]

Try that, but with bare rock instead of all those easy grabholds. :)

[Homer&Marje]

Gotcha.... now back to the original question...did you hear anything about this kid? I'm sure he made it out fine but he was banged up pretty bad.

[Tin Man]

Me? I heard zip. I guess the caretakers don't like to offer up bad news stories.

[john gault]

I heard that and Owls Head are super steep...but how do you get steeper:-?

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ldP-jp9aBzY/SmD1yQCLNDI/AAAAAAAACfU/lktDz867TH4/s512/SDC11711.JPG
I got a pic of that same area, but my pic doesn't do it justice, but you can see the other hiker on all fours. This is right after I departed Garfield Ridge Campsite -- Sept 2006.

It was very steep and slow going.