Cautionary tale for all hikers

The beauty and ruggedness of the wilderness is what draws many of us there. A sense of normalcy being in the back country develops and we never even question what we are doing and why we are there. We often forget how dangerous it really can be.

A few friends of mine who had travelled to the Linville Gorge area of WNC many, many times, experienced a terrible accident. They were hiking to the Sphinx area, which is a particularly technical and dangerous area with huge drop offs and very tight, steep terrain. While scrambling up a rocky section, a friend of mine lost his grip and fell 200 ft down the mountain. It was described to me as happening in a matter of seconds. He was over the side, rolling like a log down the mountain, until he stopped an estimated 200 feet down. Six hours and two black hawk helicopter rescues later, he survived but will require surgery.

I know I am guilty of becoming complacent in the woods and taking unnecessary risk. I wanted to share this with other backpackers here to remind myself and others to always be prepared when going into the back country. Mother Nature is unrelenting in her beauty but, will kill or permanently change your life forever if you let her.