Hiking with Heidi: Oval Lakes and Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness

Frolicking in the Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness outside Twisp with my hiking buddy, Heidi. I've never been seriously injured hiking before... guess it was a matter of time. I managed to get impaled on a tree on way out - her first aid skills, level-headedness, and overall rockstar attitude saved the day and we were able to hike out and get treated in the ER.

Amazing hike. West Oval Lake and the ridges/peaks in that area were unreal. We saw two people the whole backpack trip. Got up early and went up to Oval Pass and Gray Peak second morning which had stunning views a very dramatic sky.

Lots of blowdowns on the trail. Got tangled up in one of those - impaled my leg. Heidi was a quick thinking wilderness first responder. Got me pulled off it, set up a tourniquet, and I managed to hike out the last 6 miles since she took weight out of my pack and gave me her poles. 12 hours later finally got sutchered up and 15 stitches to close what the ER doc the "really gnarly wound."

Ugh - that will be a wrap on my backpacking this season. So sad - it was just getting good! But - I'm going to be fine - it could have been SOOOO much worse.

Tips: stock up your first aid kit and hike with a buddy. Have no idea how I'd have made it out without Heidi and a ton of gauze and steripads.