Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Ouch! Cathedral Lakes - January 7, 2012

So, I'd never been to Tuolumne Meadows in January. I wandered around for a few hours before deciding that the 7 miles (RT) to Cathedral Lakes would make for a good recovery day...

Awesome scenery! Real interesting listening to the frozen lake "talk to me" while I was eating lunch.

But, loads of ice on the trial. I managed to lose balance when I was only a few hundred yards away from making it safely back to the trailhead. The scene went from "this is interesting," as I started to slide, to "uh-oh!," to screaming in agony as stood back up. I pulled my gloves off and watched as my left thumb grew to twice its normal size.

Lesson: wear the danged micro-spikes if you've got them. There are a lot of projects that are at risk if I find out the poor thing is broken. (Shin and I had a conversation about my laziness when it comes to using gear just a couple of weeks ago. You'd think I'd learn!)


Here are some photos:


Tuolumne River.



Tuolumne River.



Cathedral Lake.



Cathedral Peak.


The rest of the photos: http://piotrowski.smugmug.com/Whats-New-1/Catherdral-Lake-January-7-2012/20943810_NCV9zZ#!i=1663840204&k=qP5bRC2

Richard, these pictures are just BEAUTIFUL!! What a day!!!

Richard, you might want to get that thumb checked by an orthopedist sooner rather than later. Used to catch my daughter when she pitched softball and caught one with my thumb (even though I was using a catcher's mitt). It bugged me for months and when I finally had it examined, I was told I'd torn a ligament and it was too late to repair. It'll give me trouble for the rest of my life.

This is common.

http://www.orthosports.com.au/content_common/pg-skiers-thumb.seo

Good luck with it.

John

Thanks.

John, that article hits the nail on the head. That's probably exactly what's happened. I guess I'll test Doc Murray's advice to use Urgent Care (since I still don't have a regular Doc out here in the desert) tomorrow.

The pain has subsided significantly, but I can't do anything with my left hand (exactly what they describe in regard to grip). The swelling (I'm guessing hematoma.) hasn't.

You'all would have a good laugh if I had made a video of trying to prepare lunch and dinner. (Jars, bottles, etc are nearly impossible to open... think squeezing them between arm and chest and the knees. A delicate balance in trying to keep from blowing the contents all over myself.)

A fall on ice killed my Grandmother. It is nothing to laugh about, even if its only a broken finger. I hope it heals quickly. Maybe MT will give you some PT tips, cause you will need it ....

PS. Beautiful pics.

Beautiful pics! Where's the "like" button??

Richard,

Thanks for the beautiful photos and Happy New Year!

On Christmas Day my wife had an unanticipated tumble on Tenaya Lake and is finally mostly recovered. I hope you are OK too.

On New Year's Day (last week) I ascended Mt Dana (13061) from Tioga Pass (9945). The sweeping view from the summit revealed that there is currently less snow in the area than there was during much of last summer. Indeed the door of the Backcountry Ski Hut across from Lembert Dome remains locked.

In 2011 the Tioga Road did not open until June 18. I drove the road the following day (returning from Mt Whitney, of course) only to find that Tuolumne Meadows had transformed into a lake.

It will be interesting to see how the weather plays out in the Sierras in 2012.

Jim F

"Like"

How's the thumb, Richard?

Richard, hope your thumb is doing better! Your description didn't sound good.
These pictures look amazing. I just gotta ask...did you shoot these with your new Sony (NEX-5?) or with the Canon (you still have your 7D, right?)? The colors and sharpness are just stunning! I still like my D300 and love my little Panasonic's (ZS-3 & 10), but there's always room for something else!
Take care,
Stacy

MT would say get to an MD for an XR, MRI, or CT to determine the DX before obtaining a Rx for PT or any other TX (treatment).

OK

I work for the government, so I'm used to this type of Mumbo-Jumbo. One question though: does MT mean MooseTracks or Main Trail?

Stacy, I've been shooting exclusively with the NEX-5N since we were down in Mexico. I love this camera. My only complaint would be that Sony needs to improve the sealing of the camera and the sensor dust-removal system. The spots you see in some of the "sky" photos are very annoying to me.

OK, here's the joke of the day…..

RP went to his doctor complaining of pain.
"Where are you hurting?" asked the doctor.
"You have to help me Doc, I hurt all over", said RP.
"What do you mean, all over?" asked the doctor, "be a little more specific."
RP touched his right knee with his index finger and yelled, "Ow, that hurts." Then he touched his left cheek and again yelled, "Ouch! That hurts, too." Then he touched his right earlobe, "Ow, even THAT hurts", RP cried.
The doctor checked RP thoughtfully for a moment and told him his diagnosis, "You have a broken finger."

Seriously, RP wishing a quick recovery

Pics were surreal. I hope you feel well soon.

Brent

Thanks Richard...I figured as much. That Sony is incredible!! I had the same problem with my ZS-3 and spots on the sensor so Santa brought the ZS-10 for Christmas this year.

Rick G - BAHAHAHAHA Good one!!!

Stacy.

Good: I don't like to have to explain my humor.

As for the question, I dunno: you started it. Please, enlighten us...

Well, we both seem to think that frozen lakes talk, so it's highly likely that (main) trails can talk too. (OK, I think I'm done with stupid comments.)


Anybody else notice how much more traffic the site has gotten since Friday?




XR - No break.

MD says the thumb is going to be OK. Didn't think I tore any ligaments, just brusing.

Rx - Anti-inflammatories for a few days. Follow-up in a week if necessary.

Thanks for all the good wishes!

The bad news: I somehow managed to develop High Blood Pressure. The recommendation is that I NEED to follow-up on this issue. How the heck do I have HBP? Maybe it's all that crap food you eat.

Just used that as ammo to make my wife feel guilty... She knows I'd be eating much healthier is she were out here in the desert.

Sounds like you need to go hiking more