The last couple years, I've been going on hikes with hiking groups and/or friends. It's been a great way to meet people, enjoy nature and generally recharge. And a great way to sharpen my photography, albeit in a fast paced environment. Our primary focus has been the Bruce Trail, a 900 km (560 miles) route that starts at Niagara Falls and meanders its way north along the Niagara Escarpment. Mostly bush, some path, some road. Lately, I've been enjoying participating in the individual club End to End events. Last weekend and the upcoming one, we are doing the section wrapped around Hamilton, ON, about 120km (75 miles?) in 4 days.
Well, I found out that things aren't always simple. I got onto a bridge and took a scenic photo, ran to the end of the bridge and attempted to photograph my companions. I guess I lost my place in my mind. A quick step backwards and I ended up on the ground. I'm told I talked, drank some water, ate a banana, took the bridge photo I'm adding and then things went bad. Emergency services had to carry me out, and I spent the rest of the day getting checked out. CT scan and ultrasounds were good, and I passed the other coordination tests. I'm home, off work for the past couple days but feel better now than this morning. I'll go to work tomorrow unless something comes up.
So I'm working out how to make sure this never happens again. I've always gone to an edge and planted my feet so I knew where I was safe. Somehow, my brain didn't register it this time that I was on an edge. Might have been the design of the bridge with high railings, might have been the bubbly nature of the conversation up to that point, I don't know. But I need to set a routine so it never happens again.
A top view of the bridge from the far end.
Where I fell. My hip and leg are bruised in a way that I assume I twisted and landed on the wooden steps. I'm told my camera (D7000) was only a couple feet away and is undamaged. I think my arm was outstretched and my head/chin landed on my shoulder and right arm.
Oh, I don't remember the fall or some time after. I took the photo below and don't remember doing it.
It probably took an hour for me to be in the stretcher. The hike coordinator took this photo.
A happier moment earlier in the hike. I had propped the camera on a rock and set the 10 second timer. My friend are used to watching the flashing light. I almost always get perfect compliance for smiles and open eyes now.
Well, I found out that things aren't always simple. I got onto a bridge and took a scenic photo, ran to the end of the bridge and attempted to photograph my companions. I guess I lost my place in my mind. A quick step backwards and I ended up on the ground. I'm told I talked, drank some water, ate a banana, took the bridge photo I'm adding and then things went bad. Emergency services had to carry me out, and I spent the rest of the day getting checked out. CT scan and ultrasounds were good, and I passed the other coordination tests. I'm home, off work for the past couple days but feel better now than this morning. I'll go to work tomorrow unless something comes up.
So I'm working out how to make sure this never happens again. I've always gone to an edge and planted my feet so I knew where I was safe. Somehow, my brain didn't register it this time that I was on an edge. Might have been the design of the bridge with high railings, might have been the bubbly nature of the conversation up to that point, I don't know. But I need to set a routine so it never happens again.
A top view of the bridge from the far end.
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Where I fell. My hip and leg are bruised in a way that I assume I twisted and landed on the wooden steps. I'm told my camera (D7000) was only a couple feet away and is undamaged. I think my arm was outstretched and my head/chin landed on my shoulder and right arm.
Oh, I don't remember the fall or some time after. I took the photo below and don't remember doing it.
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It probably took an hour for me to be in the stretcher. The hike coordinator took this photo.
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
A happier moment earlier in the hike. I had propped the camera on a rock and set the 10 second timer. My friend are used to watching the flashing light. I almost always get perfect compliance for smiles and open eyes now.
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)