How many times have you fallen?
I'm sure I "stumble" at least every day on the trail and likely look kind of goofy as I recover, but rarely has this let to my actually completely falling onto the ground. My memory might be selective, but I can recall falling perhaps 3 or 4 times over 1200 miles. The worst that has happened is a snapped pole.
How often do others actually fall and what is the worst that has happened?
I actually have definitions
A "slide" is when my foot slides more than a few inches on slippery ground.
A "slip" is when I need to use my pole, or my hand grabbing something, to prevent a fall. It's usually caused by a slide that gets out of control.
It's only a "fall" if I would be considered "down" in a game of american football -- ie, knees or backside touching dirt.
I used to fall about once a day.
I got to the point where I might go several days without a fall.
When I hiked down the Liberty Springs Trail in Franconia Notch, for three hours in pitch dark, I stopped counting my falls after about six.
Total number of falls? I haven't kept track, but I'd say on the order of a few dozen.
More than once after a fall, I've laid on the ground for a few seconds wondering if I've had any serious injuries. Since I always hike solo, even a twisted ankle would lead to some serious change in plans. Praise God (so far!), I've never had so much as a bad bruise.