June 27 - Falling Down

Granted the trail was down hill, but it wasn't on the down hill part that I took my spills. 

The first happened in a blow down area among burnt trees. Several smaller trees had fallen into a Bermuda Triangle arrangement with a small burned stub in the middle. As I negotiated the first tree a gremlin caught my foot and sent me headlong into the stub. I caught it in the upper right chest knocking my breath out and the reverberation threw me to the ground. Fortunately my chest only hurts when I breath, which I do a lot on uphill sections. No broken ribs. 

The second fall came a short while later on relatively clear ground but upon which a fallen tree had left a zillion broken branches. The gremlin caught my foot again and I landed with my trekking poles under me. The right pole has a slight bend to it now. 

The third spill came on as I was making a fast walk down a beautifully manicured trail. I stepped on a hidden rock and rolled my left ankle causing me to go down hard on my side with one arm trapped under me, hand still holding the trekking pole. I released my pack and assessed the damage. Just a small pain in the outside of the ankle as I twist it on uneven surfaces. Maybe it'll be better tomorrow. 

Other than the falls the day was pretty uneventful. Kings River in Kings Canyon, of course, is beautiful and roars as I hike next to it. Tonight I'm camped along the river with three sets of father and child, two girls and a boy. Nice people. They're on a 55 mile loop from North Lake to South Lake. Two more days and they'll visit Burger Barn on their way home. 

Kings River cascading down the canyon. 

Near my campsite. 

Sunset. 

Hikingsolo