The Linville Gorge trip was planned to the last detail. I arrived Wednesday afternoon with plans of just hanging around for two nights before the actual trip started. After I arrived, I headed down Conley Cove trail to the river. There was a chance of running into Shug, Hickery, and the Turk, who were heading north on the Linville Gorge trail.
After about a mile of working my way south along the river I stepped on a boulder in the trail and lost my footing. It had been raining lightly, on and off, and it was just wet enough to be slippery. I fell to the base of the boulder and twisted my knee badly.After determining nothing was broken, I continued south. Within a half hour, I was limping bad enough that I decided to turn around. I returned to the area of last October's hang and set up camp for the night. I wanted to rest the knee, in hopes that it would be back to normal the next morning.
The next morning I immediately knew I was going to have trouble with the knee. I spent the next 2-1/2 hours climbing out of the Gorge, a trip the should have only taken an hour or so. I headed to a little motel up the road and settled in for an evening of Aleve and ice packs. I also called Hawk-eye and told him what happened.
Friday morning I met the group at the trailhead to tell them I wouldn't be able to join them. They had already heard the news and offered their condolences, which was much appreciated, but didn't ease my disappointment. Shug, Hickery and the Turk were also there, after having just completed the same loop we were planning to hike. It was great to see everyone and meet some new folks.
The knee is healing well. It is good enough to walk on, but not good enough for any trail time, yet.
I'm hopeful that everyone had a great time. Please add your pictures and stories of the adventure. There will always be next time(this fall?) for me.
Jerry
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Originally Posted by gargoyle
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