Michael13
Moderator
It was September 2006 and I was passing through Kanab, Utah. I was on my way to Page, but since I spent the night in Kanab, I dropped by the BLM next morning to try my luck at the lottery for permits to the Wave. Back then they did a drawing every morning for permits the following day, but only 10 permits were issued and many people applied, so odds were very much against you. Being a solo hiker worked in my favor, as a group of four would get passed over if only 2 permits were left when drawn. The Gods smiled on me that day and I got #6 of the 10 permits issued for the next day! Forecast was clear skies, highs in the mid 90s. I was so excited I could hardly sleep that night. I camped just a bit down the road from the trailhead to get an early start, as I wanted to be done with hike before it got too hot.
I started out around sunrise, there were a couple of other cars in the parking lot but I saw no one as I started hiking out. The BLM gave me printed instructions and a map with tiny photos of the landmarks used for navigation. This hike has had more than a few fatalities over the years, mostly due to heat and exhaustion, but getting lost off route was also a factor in some instances. It's a six mile round trip, if you stay on route. I carried a gallon of water along with my camera gear and tripod. Back then I carried a mighty Nikon D70, packing a huge six megapixels.
The first two miles the trail was a mix of dirt path, sand traps, and a bit of sandstone. There was one small hill that was all deep sand that was the worst place to get up, but it was a short stretch. After that it was all on sandstone, the most amazing swirly and colorful sandstone I'd ever seen. I started making more photos once I got here, mostly close in scenes of the shapes in the stone, occasionally making a wider shot to give some context. According to my map, I was almost there and would arrive at the Wave any minute.
Next thing I know, I'm looking at the rock from a couple of inches away, face down. I had tripped and fallen. I still have no idea what I tripped over or how it happened. So I rolled over on my back and sat up. My right leg and ankle hurt, luckily that was the only place I felt pain. My backpack was still on the rocks beside me, still sitting upright where I placed it. No damage to any gear at least. As soon as I stood up I felt pain from the knee down. It was not the worst pain I had ever felt, but I knew my hike was over and I had to try to walk out. So I did, limping one step at a time and taking a lot longer than the hike in. Remarkably I did not see anyone else on my way back and in fact saw no one at all over the whole hike.
When I got back to my truck the parking lot was full and I immediately drank an ice cold water from the cooler, as the water in my pack was quite warm by now. When I went to remove my hiking boots and put on sneakers I had some trouble as my foot was really swollen and bruised red and purple. I thought I just had a sprain and the swelling would go down overnight. Turns out I had fractures in my great toe and index toe.
So, I had quite the adventure - and while I returned without the money shot, I did get a good story out of it.
I started out around sunrise, there were a couple of other cars in the parking lot but I saw no one as I started hiking out. The BLM gave me printed instructions and a map with tiny photos of the landmarks used for navigation. This hike has had more than a few fatalities over the years, mostly due to heat and exhaustion, but getting lost off route was also a factor in some instances. It's a six mile round trip, if you stay on route. I carried a gallon of water along with my camera gear and tripod. Back then I carried a mighty Nikon D70, packing a huge six megapixels.
The first two miles the trail was a mix of dirt path, sand traps, and a bit of sandstone. There was one small hill that was all deep sand that was the worst place to get up, but it was a short stretch. After that it was all on sandstone, the most amazing swirly and colorful sandstone I'd ever seen. I started making more photos once I got here, mostly close in scenes of the shapes in the stone, occasionally making a wider shot to give some context. According to my map, I was almost there and would arrive at the Wave any minute.
Next thing I know, I'm looking at the rock from a couple of inches away, face down. I had tripped and fallen. I still have no idea what I tripped over or how it happened. So I rolled over on my back and sat up. My right leg and ankle hurt, luckily that was the only place I felt pain. My backpack was still on the rocks beside me, still sitting upright where I placed it. No damage to any gear at least. As soon as I stood up I felt pain from the knee down. It was not the worst pain I had ever felt, but I knew my hike was over and I had to try to walk out. So I did, limping one step at a time and taking a lot longer than the hike in. Remarkably I did not see anyone else on my way back and in fact saw no one at all over the whole hike.
When I got back to my truck the parking lot was full and I immediately drank an ice cold water from the cooler, as the water in my pack was quite warm by now. When I went to remove my hiking boots and put on sneakers I had some trouble as my foot was really swollen and bruised red and purple. I thought I just had a sprain and the swelling would go down overnight. Turns out I had fractures in my great toe and index toe.
So, I had quite the adventure - and while I returned without the money shot, I did get a good story out of it.
