Tuesday afternoon my friend and I were rapelling in RRG. On my last rapell I got going too fast and couldn't stop myself. I ended up freefalling about fifty feet. The impact knocked me out and my friend came running up to me to see if I was alive. The fire/rescue had to extract me in a basket and then I got a heli ride to UK. Turns out my back is broken (T4 L2 L3). The doctors think I'm going to make a full recovery but I have to wear this brace for 3 months. I know I'm lucky to be alive but I sure am bummed about not getting to boat with all of you this winter. This really reminds me how fragile we truly are.
I'll miss you all during my recovery,
Zack

Zack,

I feel your pain. Reminds me of the motorcycle wreck I had one week before Gauley season started and knocked me out of boating for the next two months. Hope you have a speedy recovery. Ibuprofen is a gift from God.

Dallas

Dallas

Incredible. Tough luck Zack. Glad your ok.

I'm headed out tomorrow morning to meet up for a hike in the BSF with past BWA Prez , Chief, who walked off a cliff in the RR Gorge one night when backpacking. There's an old BWA saying about climbing... I know I can swim but I sure can't fly:-)

I hope you mend up soon amigo. Are you at UK now?
barryg

Zach,

Glad to hear you're all right man!
Hope you have a quick recovery.
I will not be paddling this winter that much either do to a new family member. Thank god for you tube!
Live on to seize the day again brother!!

Ledgeman

Zach,
Glad to hear that you are OK. The 3 months should pass quickly and you will be back paddling before you know it.

Allen

Glad your okay Zack and not on the news! I fractured L3,L4 in a car accident a few years back and am happy to be still boofing. Listen to the docs and dont get in a hurry the river will always be there. So will we. Muscle conditioning is very important once you get mobile. I hope you are feeling okay and enjoy the meds while you have them.

Thanks for the concern guys. Maybe I'll see some of you at the December meeting. Hopefully I'll get the hang of wearing this brace by then. =)
Zack

Good to hear you're okay Zack. Did they have to put any metal in your back or are you still 100% organic?

If I've learned one thing in my 40+ years it's that none of your injuries ever fully heal, they all come back to haunt you eventually. Therefore, it is vitally important to allow them to fully heal while they are in the mood. Do what the doctors tell you and don't stress those injuries until they give you an all clear. You won't be boating sooner, but you'll be boating better and more pain free for years to come.

Hanley

OUCH! ... Sounds ugly. Glad you are alive! Did you have any compression fractures and get the benefit of the new kyphoplasty procedure? I just think that treatment is way cool... Even can use it in older folks that fall and get compression fractures.

Wes

Yes Hanley I'm still 100% organic (no surgery)

Wes, my T4 was a compression fracture but I don't know what the kyphoplasty procedure is, I'm wearing a Jewett brace. I can't remember what kind of fracture I had in my L2&L3 but the Dr. said the small bones on each side of the vertebrae are held in by muscle and not as serious as my T4 fracture.

I went back to the Dr. yesterday and he said my spine was in perfect alignment. He told me to come back in a month and if I'm still healing correctly they are going to start gradually weaning me off the brace.

I wonder if they can prescribe me something for cabin fever, Aaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!!

Zack