30!

Check-up Check-in

So today was the 6 week check-up. While my enthusiasm is waning the overall outlook is still good. Today I got the okay to progress to a modified walk putting 50% weight on the right leg while still using crutches for the next two weeks. Followed by one crutch for a week and then no crutches all while still wearing my storm trooper boot, for the next four weeks. Physical therapy is to commence to treat range of motion, rebuild strength, and hopefully cut down on the last bits of swelling.

The hard news, looks like it will be next spring before I am going to start returning to my "Normal" lifestyle, it's gonna be a hard winter.

And since I didn't have any photos to go along with this post, I provide you this instead.

X-Rays and Photos

Everything takes just a little bit longer, or in some cases a lot bit longer. I had planned on posting these images last week sometime, but unfortunately I wasn't up for it yet. The good news is I am basically off my pain meds (Vicodin) with the occasional need for one or two in the evening to help with sleeping. I have gone back to work Mon-Thrs with the occasional missed day for a doctor's appointment and I have my next checkup the week after I go to Arizona for James' wedding. Ky and I have settled into a groove and for the most part Kona is doing what he can to not be a pain in the ass. It seems Kona understands that I am in a weakened state and he has decided not to exploit me for it. Now, what you really want, photos...

My broken leg, prior to any medical treatment. Trust me, the photo doesn't really do justice, my foot is basically hanging free bellow my leg bones. If it weren't for most of my ligaments remaining in place my foot would look more like a sock of quarters at that point.

The First x-ray showing the three breaks. Obviously my Fibula shouldn't overlap and my Tibia shouldn't be so far to the right and yes the bone bellow it is suppose to be part of it. The third less obvious part is the small rectangular bone bellow and to the right of the Tibia is called the Talus and should be rotated 90 degrees counter clockwise and part of the whole ankle, it's the inside of your ankle structure and is the obvious protrusion. Like I said the previous photo doesn't do justice to how out of wack everything is.

My new stainless steel plate along with 6 new screws that look like they came from home depot, but upon seeing the bill, they clearly did not. My Fibula is back to being a single bone and at full length. Rumor has it that my Doc had to enlist in help to get those bones back in place, apparently I have strong muscles in my leg, who'd figure that?

My repaired Tibia and Talus takes care of my Cankle (at least on the X-Ray). Note the three screws that again look like they came from Home Depot, but cost a whole lot more. I was very disappointed that they weren't titanium or that metal they used in Wolverine. One screw has fixed my Tibia to my Fibula to hold it in place as my ligament reattaches (this screw will be removed). The other two screws at the up and left angle will remain in place and currently hold my talus bone to the Tibia.

The splint that was on my leg for two weeks to allow for swelling to go down. This basically made it impossible for me to shower or take a bath, so Ky set me up with some over-sized towelettes that are used as a modern day sponge bath. However, she wouldn't put on the sexy nurse costume for the bath, so it wasn't quite what I was hoping for.

My new air-cast, still not allowed to walk on it (hence the crutches), but at least it is removable for showers and photos. Ky recently was given a shower chair for me (not pictured) so I can now take a shower on my own, something that is highly underrated.

The inside of my ankle 3 weeks after surgery, still very swollen, but healing nicely. The larger scab is from the abrasion on my ankle from when I fell (visible in the first photo). I am kind of surprised I still have a scab for that since it was really just a scrape, but I guess being in cast with other more important things to heal, that is gonna take a bit.

And the outside of my ankle, looks swollen, but otherwise good. If you enlarge the photo you can see the long incision on my leg where they inserted the plate and below where there seems to be a horizontal line we have the location where they inserted the very expensive stainless steel wood screw. If I chose to have it removed they will cut me back open there and screw it out, hopefully the Doc doesn't strip the head, cause I would hate for him to have to drill it out. But his name is Dr Pro, so I think he'll do just fine.

THE ACCIDENT!!!

Sorry it has taken me a few days to get to writing this post, as you can imagine heavy narcotics do not make it super easy to focus a train of thought. Although, maybe some of you are wishing I wrote a post from deep inside the land of Morphine and Valium?

Since the number one question so far has always been, "What happened?", I'll focus this blog post there. Future posts will include the x-rays and recovery efforts.



Saturday morning I made an early start up Mount Hood to Frenches Dome, a volcanic uprising on the flanks of Mount Hood just bellow Lolo Pass. Frenches Dome is setup for what is known as sport climbing, whereas the climbing routes are setup with bolts every 10 to 12 feet. The lead climber (me) will clip one side of a quick draw into the bolt (two carabiners tied together with a short sling known as a dog bone) and then clip his rope into the other end of the quick draw. So as the leader goes, he will limit his fall to double the length of rope above the last bolt.



So the higher above a bolt you go, your fall would be double that distance. The added complexity, if you fall while you are pulling out rope to make the next clip you add one times that rope length to the distance of the fall. Falling while clipping is the most dangerous place you can fall while sport climbing and should be avoided at all costs.

So naturally, I fell while I was clipping into the 6th bolt placing me roughly 50-60 feet up the rock. However, since the bolt was at head height I was probably about 6 feet above the previous bolt with the added rope slack of about 4 feet to help with the clip , I fell 20-30 feet (the rope stretches up to 34% of the length of the rope out).

As I fell my right leg clip an outcropping of rock on the right side of my foot causing all of my energy to be transferred onto the left side of my ankle. Breaking my Fibula mid leg on the right, sheering my Tibia just above the ankle pushing it inward breaking off my Talus bone (the inside knuckle).



Once my fall came to a rest, help was requested by screaming to nearby climbing parties and I was lowered slowly to the ground. Once on the ground I was stabilized and assessed by a couple volunteers with PMR (Portland Mountain Rescue) and 9-1-1 was called for extraction and transport to a Portland Hospital (Providence Portland).



The ambulance team and the Reach and Treat (RAT) team arrived on scene together, drugged me with Morphine and Valium and put me in a specialized litter and took me down the mountain. By my estimates from time of impact till time of extraction I was on the ground for approximately 1 hour, pretty fast if you ask me.



My thanks goes out to everyone that assisted in my rescue, help keeping me calm and safe.

September Fitness Fun

There is a pattern that seems to repeat, some years stronger, some years weaker. Unfortunately, this year the pattern has come back a little stronger than last. So what is this mystical magical pattern? Well it goes something like this; January I start training for crew or bike racing or whatever it has been for the last decade, I lose weight and get in great shape by late spring early summer, I carry that conditioning through the summer. Then in August I get tired and lazy, stop working out, and put on the lbs totally losing the conditioning I worked so hard for. By early October I realize what I have done and fight the losing battle until Thanksgiving and then all hell breaks loose in the form of holiday celebrations of pie and strong holiday beverages. The holidays clear and I repeat the following year.

So this year I am taking a different approach, even though August brought on the Lbs, hopefully I still have some conditioning left. My new approach is to make September a month of exercise, mixed exercise. It is my goal to get 30 mins of exercise EVERY DAY, not strenuous every day, just take Kona for a walk, go to the climbing gym, a nice jog, a bike race, whatever...

Also, I have started the 100 push-up workout. If you are not familiar, it is a 6 week push-up workout with an end goal of doing 100 straight push-ups on the last workout. I am partway through week one and I already have improved in my push-up ability and I am having fun with the workout. I am anxiously anticipating the completion of the 7 weeks to 50 pull-ups workout. I've never been able to do more than 5 straight pull-ups so 50 would be something amazing!

In other news, I am still looking for a new career, and wedding season is upon us. First up, Colorado...

Mt Adams Adventure

It's been almost a year since the last time Ky and I went for a backpacking trip, so we decided it was about time to checkout the "Around the Mountain" trail around Mt Adams, it was spectacular. But like any worth while vacation, it was somewhat of an adventure.

Since we wouldn't be leaving work early to start our vacation I planned ahead and did all of the "packing" and route setting and the general what-nots. One of those typical things would be to figure out how to get to our destination. Since I knew where Mt Adams was and I knew where I wanted to car camp before the hike, I just grabbed the GPS coordinates and figured I would let the Garmin show us the best way there.

We grabbed a quick dinner, pizza and a strong beer (12% alc), at the Walking Man Brewery in Stevenson WA. With this little bit of beer in the system I blindly followed the GPS North, it wasn't until I saw my first sign for Cougar WA and an INCREDIBLE view of Mount St. Helens from way too close (sorry no photo) did I realize we were not taking a short-cut to Mt Adams.

"Fortunately" a fire closure stopped us before we got really off track, but the long and the short of the lesson was that we were going to be setting up our base camp in the dark. We decided our vacation was now Barker worthy and said oh well as we pulled off the side of the road and set up our camp.

The next morning was cold but not as cold as the following, and the weather was grim at first but it quickly improved. After 7 miles of hiking and one incredibly tired dog we struck camp at Horseshoe Meadow, ate some lunch and took a nap. More eating and napping along with fire and good times ensued before off to bed. As previously mentioned Sunday morning was terribly cold (high 30's) so we were very motivated to hit the trail back to the car, which was a good thing considering the angry storm that was quickly coming.

The hike was a blast and we saw some incredible views. So without anymore jiber-jaber the photos...

Setting camp by lantern

Early on the trail while we still had energy to smile. Mt Adams into the clouds over head.

A valley view of The Gorge and Mt Hood

Crossing one of many streams and waterfalls, all glacial run-off.

Ky showing Kona Mount St. Helens

One of the many different angles of Mt Adams

Our last resting spot before we got to camp, 1.5 miles to go

Horseshoe Meadow

Ky posing with Kona while he surveyed the surroundings

Vacation

It seems I have been too busy to write any blog posts as of recent, well that or too bored to have anything worth writing that wouldn't come off as sarcastic and moody. Well the truth is probably a little bit of both. The weather has finally improved just in time for the tail end of the summer so Ky and I have been trying to make the best of it. We've done some boating, biking, traveling, walking, hiking, and a few other ings. The families have been in town, yup both Leinewebers and Bennetts. Up next will be more travel to far off places like Denver and Tucson with some backpacking and rock climbing thrown in for good measure. But until then a few select photos from the last month or so.

Kona and I head to a bike race

Ky came too

Ky played Nanny to Hazel while The Barkers and I raced, she got the better gig.

We had an incredible view from our loaner house

Later, at the beach we ate lots and lots of Crab

We took walks

Kona got to play chuck-it

It wore him out!

Kona watched Ky teach Yoga

She had a lot of students

I made Ice Cream Sandwiches from fresh cookies

Obligatory Family Photo at the Annual Pizza Feed

Attempt at being "Artistic"

Most recent, the Bennetts were in town for some Portland fun and Hiking (Punchbowl Falls)

Kona wouldn't cooperate for our family photo

Happy Anniversary

Here's to 3 wonderful years and many more to come!

(Last Day of our Honeymoon in Kauai)

Happy Anniversary, I love you!

Make it Stop

As I sit at my desk surrounded by "more electronics than I kiss concert" I wax romantic about my jobs I held as a teenager. For those who haven't heard stories or didn't grow up with me I was fortunate to have a real job, not just a high school burger flipping summer job. I used to work construction, both as laborer and as an equipment operator. Both were fun and back breaking in their own special ways and both taught me some things. I'm not talking work hard stay in school life lessons either, I am talking I dropped the ball and got my ass handed to me lessons.

So why would I wax romantic, I enjoyed working with my hands and I enjoyed working outside under the hot sun. It was never cold and it was rarely wet, it was heaven in a weird way. If you've seen the end of Office Space, it was kind of like that "Fuck'n A". I can see how a High School graduate could justify skipping college and going straight to the work force.

So am I glad I didn't go that route, absolutely, the following picture explains why.


The rain this spring has been out of control, this is the first time since I have started living in Oregon full time (2002) that I have heard the lifers complaining about the copious rain. Last night I sat at my desk reading through some of my old blog posts from this time last year, it quickly dawned on me how nice we had it last spring. This time last year I was posting about tan lines and my numerous training rides out the gorge, how much I love Oregon.

Right now, I am ready to move back to AZ, hell, I even applied for job in San Antonio Texas. I hate Texas, I hate it even more than I hate New Mexico! So, if someone could turn off the rain before I do something stupid like move to TX or NM, I'd really appreciate it.

Tomorrow I head to Smith Rock for the day, it better be dry!

Incredible "Rock" with a Generic Name.

It's a shame the Sheriff or the Soldier that Smith is named after (historians are unsure) didn't have a more inspiring name. For those who have never seen Smith Rock from in person up close, pictures do not do it justice. Furthermore, the view from the Hwy-97 does it even less justice. Smith rock is a place of incredible grandeur, similar to that of Crater Lake. If you haven't been, go, hike, savor it.

So why was I there, because Smith Rock is one of the premier sport climbing areas in the country and maybe even the world, I don't really know enough to make that call. The other reason I was there, was it was sunny outside of Portland and Brian had the day off.

Being mid-week I was able to climb all of the routes I wanted or could handle with minimal wait if any.


Morning Glory Wall, featuring 5-Gallon Buckets (the vertical line of holes to the left-center). The large huecos (naturally occurring holes in the rock, similar to acid pops in tile) made for an interesting climb unlike anything I've climbed before. Guide books tell you that if you get to climb without waiting, you should buy a lottery ticket that day, I guess I should have bought a lottery ticket. Brian tells me that in the hundred visits he has made to Smith, he has never been able to do that, I guess I am just lucky.


Brian rappels down to the belay ledge where I paitently wait for the rope to get to the bottom "Ginger Snap" a fun climb that provided a route to a more difficult climb with an incredibly freaky view ("Cry Baby").

All in all an incredible trip, I've already scheduled my return, this time with Ky.

Breaking Ground and the Law

Sunday was a busy day for me, Mountain Bike Race, Rock Climbing, and Birthday Party, so many activities!

For the mountain biking I partook in my first ever cross country mountain bike race, which was actually the first time I have ever been mountain biking. That is not to say I have never been on a mountain bike, but it was the first time I have ever seen "Single Track". The race was a novel experience for me with 1700 ft of climbing on a 12 mile loop; it was the first time I was a better climber than most but a terrible going downhill with gravity. The mud was slippery and the hills were steep, but overall I felt like I gave it a good show taking 10th in the beginner class.


After returning from Blodgett, OR (near Corvallis) it was time time to meet up with the Barkers for some evening rock climbing. After much hmming and hawing it was decided that we would try out a crag in the Lake Oswego area, close to home but limited in size. As I was first to arrive I was unpleasantly surprised to see some clearly marked no trespassing / no rock climbing signs posted by the railroad. Cars hidden, ramifications discussed, we decided the signs were merely a waiver of liability by the railroad company. The rock was much better than anticipated, while limited, it was gratifying to climb 20 mins from home. No arrests were made, good times were had.


After returning home and feeding Kona, it was off to Bill's house to celebrate Greg's birthday and wish happy trails to Genevieve. Cake was had, songs were sung, and cheers sounded the room (no photos available at this time).

A day later it has been determined that were lucky to avoid imprisonment and or fines for our trespasses. Accompanied by the 21 mo old baby by the name of Hazel, I would like to see the officer that could have resisted her charms, I think it would have been a stern warning had the Lake'O PoPo found us.

This is What I Call Vacation

As much as I work, I never seem to have a proper vacation, but that is probably due to the fact that most of my vacation days are spent one at a time for things such as bike races and family events (mostly weddings it seems). So it was due that I take a vacation day (just one) to do something other than fly to a wedding or race a bike, don't worry I am taking two days this coming weekend for the latter and multiple days next fall for the former.

What did I do, I hung out with some friends and partook in the things they love to do, things I had loved in my teenage years. Shoot guns and climb rocks! Granted when I was a teen shooting guns it was at boyscout camp and when I was climbing rocks it was indoors, however these were still things that I loved to do. The biggest reason I didn't do them more were; I didn't have a gun (nor should I have had one)and I spent too much time on the ice to spend any time on the rocks.

And for those in the crowd that are against guns, let me say this. Not everyone owns a gun for crime, hunting, or self defense. Some people own guns for the sheer enjoyment of shooting at inanimate targets. There is a skill to target shooting and I have tremendous respect for biathletes, if you haven't done any target shooting, maybe you should try it. I wont be joining the NRA, I wont ask you to either, and I probably wont ever own a gun. However, I will be happy to buy rounds for my friends guns (Barkers I will bring a box next time).

So without any further ado the pictures...

Our gracious hosts (special thanks to Eryn's mom for the cabin)

Top roping a fun 5.8 "Under Duress", yep "Duress" was the second pitch and a much harder 5.9

Ky shooting a gun for the first time ever, she was successful in taking down a Diet Coke can