This post was supposed to be about a wonderful Martin Luther King weekend spent skiing some amazing venues with great friends, but alas, it was not to be. Last weekend, most of the original “Rippers” returned to the scene of our genesis, Powder Mountain, to ski with guides in one of the prettiest areas of Utah. It was a gorgeous, bluebird day, great snow, great guides, empty slopes. A great time was had by all.
The next day we had an early start at Snowbird, where we had reserved a snow cat to take us into the backcountry for deep powder skiing. Again, there was nothing but blue sky, deep, dry snow, great guides and wonderful friends. We skied from 8:30 am until lunch at around noon. Endless powder fields up to our knees and beyond. Light, fluffy snow that made us all feel like Olympians. A simple, delightful lunch under the sun, and off we went again, chasing untracked lines.
On the second run after lunch, I volunteered to follow the lead guide to a spot where I would direct the rest of the group so that they wouldn’t miss a crucial turn. I took off down a steep pitch, started to lose my balance, tried to catch it, dug my right ski into a deep pile of snow and was thrown forward, stretching, and then tearing, my right hamstring. As soon as it happened, I knew it was trouble.
The tail guide was on me in a flash, and helped me turn over and sat me up as best he could to minimize my contact with the wet, cold snow, as he knew I was likely going to be there for a while. We were, after all, in the backcountry, far from the ski patrol. Gail quickly joined me and gathered my scattered skis and one of my poles (alas, the other is gone for good!), and did her best to comfort and calm me. I was distraught, thinking about how I ruined the rest of the day for my friends, how I wouldn’t be able to ski with our son, who was heading into town later this week, and how my ski season was, in all probability, over.
Ski Patrol appeared sooner than I expected, thankfully, loaded me into a sled, skied me down to a road, where we met two other patrollers with a snow mobile. They towed me to the bottom of the Mineral Basin Chairlift, on the back-side of Snowbird where they attached me to, and I dangled from, the back of the chair. At the top, they dragged me the 100 yards to the top of the Snowbird Tram station, loaded me onto a gurney, wheeled me onto the Tram, and we descended the front-side where they brought me into the mountain clinic, run by the Intermountain Health System. Two doctors were present, and plenty of techs and aids. It had been 2 hours since the accident, which sounds like a long time, but under the circumstances, it was miraculous that they were able to complete the evacuation so efficiently.
The mountain clinic is well equipped with x-rays and staff, and after successfully warming me, they x-rayed me, determined there were no breaks, confirmed my own diagnosis of a torn hamstring, and sent me on my way with a new pair of crutches!
In more than 58 years of skiing, I have never had a serious injury. I am curious to see how this incident affects me. I have become more aggressive on skis over the years, as my skills and experience have grown. Will that change? Should that change? We shall see. In some respects, I hope not; in others, it probably should. Time will tell, and the answers will be fodder for future posts.
But for now, I want to focus on the positive. I can’t say enough about the professionals at Snowbird. From the guides, to the ski patrollers, to the staff at the clinic, they were wonderful without exception. Efficient, positive, professional. I was despondent after the crash. Tears kept welling up, and our guides, boosted my spirits and reassured me again and again.
My fellow rippers have been amazing this past week, as they always are, helping with transportation (I haven’t been able to drive yet), and errands. They reach out repeatedly about my progress, with offers to help with doctors and specialists. We are a real family. I am so grateful for them.
Gail, my personal Florence Nightingale, has had to help me dress, feed me, walk the dog. All of the things I used to do myself, and all the chores we used to share, have fallen on her, and she has taken them on with a constant smile.
Two days ago was the first day I felt like I had made progress. I was able to dress myself, and yesterday, I drove for the first time. I can see a faint light at the end of the tunnel. Our son is here for the weekend, and his presence has done wonders to boost my spirits.
Oh, and to cap it off, we got the news Friday that our daughter had successfully defended her dissertation at Columbia and has completed all of the steps necessary for her PhD.
Life is good!
Feel better fast!
Larry
Wow this is SUCH a bummer! I know you will be back in action soon , maybe even when we are out in March. Follow your doctors orders, they do know best.
Liz Ann
Sorry to hear you went down Larry, you may not know this, but i was never seriously injured on the slopes, and never will be,..
Does that make me a better skier? :o)
Hope your injury has not stopped you from seeing lot’s of Sundance, perhaps the crutches will help you skip some lines!
Peace and may your recovery be rapid.
Larry, I am so sorry! On the bright side-this is a well written article!
I had my knee fiasco at Snowbird a few years back and “enjoyed” the same sled and clinic experience as you did….prompt, professional and supportive. Here’s hoping your recovery will be as complete as mine has been. I’m sure it will be, after all, you have Florence to keep you progressing forward.
Thrilled you had such a great day but bummed that it ended on a less than positive note. I often wonder if skiing a little less aggressively might make sense. Your post, well, may answer the question. Hope you’ll be fit as a fiddle really soon…. I need to ski with you in March! Remember I skied 5 weeks after fracturing my arm and again after my pelvis. You can do this!!!
You are an inspiration.
Ouch! Sorry for your injury. Here’s wishing you a speedy recovery!
Larry, I’m mightily impressed by your upbeat attitude in the face of a very tough piece of bad luck. You were there for me when I did my ACL in, and we will think nothing but good thoughts until we see you in March.
Gail >>> Florence Nightingale. To her great credit, she ignored the instructions issued to the rest of the group from the tail guide, Jesse, and skied down to you. Spousal privilege! I sort of felt as though Mac and I could have grabbed the toboggan from the clearing 50 yards behind us, skied down, loaded you up and gotten you out of the snow, and had you out to the cat track pretty quickly, to then rendevous with either the cat or the snowmobile, but Jesse and Gail seemed to have everything under control.
Heal fast and we’ll.
Give us a ring if you need anything.
I just got home and will be around for a few weeks.
Lisa ⛷⛄️🚠
Larry — As a bit of encouragement, I’m typing this note just two weeks after damaging both thumbs skiing and 8 days after having had surgery on my right one. I’m on the mend and I have little doubt you’ll be doing equally well very soon. As for more slope ripping next year, do we really know another way? See you this summer in what I expect will be forehand-ripping good shape. Cheers, Drew
Oh no! So sorry to hear about this, Larry. I remember your inviting me to join you on this adventure. You will get better, but it sucks. Hang is there.
Heal quickly Larry!
You’ll be back ripping the things you should be before you know it!
Great writing. We feel your pain. On the one hand, the powdah will wait for your recovery, on the other hand, maybe you’ll have time to take your blog and make it into a novel or memoir.
Larry,
I am SO sorry to hear what happened at Snowbird. I must say however, you picked an amazing snow day to go all out! I pray for a speedy and full recovery so we can ski again next Martin Luther King weekend.
On a good note, I am thrilled that my video skills were almost equal to Warren Miller. I’m surprised I haven’t heard from them offering me a job. Oh well. I am fortunate to have been able to guide and ski with the “rippers”. That is an amazing group of people and you are blessed to have such wonderful friends and family.
Fast recovery my friend!!
Stew – Pow Mow Guide & Ogden Native
They must not have your contact info. I must say, I edited out your heavy breathing at the beginning of the clip! How is the knee?
So sorry to read about your ordeal. Here’s to as speedy recovery as possible, no doubt with plenty of PT, stretching exercises, etc. and whatever else will be needed to get you back on the slopes.
I have a single pole that you can have to make up the pair — I lost half of one at Park City Powder Cats last year!
Thanks for posting the picture and video of Saturday’s group.
Oh no Larry! Sending our love and best wishes for a quick recovery.
And CONGRATS to Eliz!
Larry, So sorry to hear about your accident!
Hang in there, we are thinking about you.
Glad your sons here and yes you do have a great nurse!
Ralph and Carole
Get well soon Larry. I know you’ll bring the same tenacity and positive attitude to recuperation as you bring to your sports. And I have no doubt we’ll be hitting those hardcore 2% grades on the peninsula this summer!
Wow, Larry! I have been delinquent in reading your posts and just saw this. I am so sorry to hear. Sounds like you have been experiencing excellent care and love! And I am excited to try out some of the coffee spots next week! We will reach out and maybe can catch you for a beer (or coffee!). Healing wishes!! Xo Halley
Happy and fast healing!!! Glad to hear you were and are being well taken care of. Gail is amazing and you both have done an incredible job tag-teaming each other’s well being.