Your Closest Call

[DarthStiller]

This subject came up on the ride during last Sunday’s hike with Joe, and I thought it might be an interest thread topic: What’s been your “closest call” hiking, as in, almost died? I would think there are two basic categories: I’m sure there have to be interesting stories that people can share. I have had about 3. The first two were before I discovered HAZ, and involved no map, no GPS. It was after I hiked all the city and county parks and started venturing in the wilderness. My most recent one, 7+ years ago, was weather related: http://hikearizona.com/photoset=3201.

[DarthStiller]

@chumley
At least you don't any professional designation of any sort that would be put into question by any chainsaw incidents that were certainly not documented and posted on a website anywhere.

[BobP]

At least you don't any professional designation of any sort

If you look at his profile...its states otherwise.

[DarthStiller]

@BobP
we really need a sarcasm smilie or something.

[chumley]

I've also had a few close calls by way of my profession.

[hippiepunkpirate]

I never thought anything of it, but after reading some comments on a website I visit occasionally, I learned that apparently I've nearly died dozens of times.

I would say that operating a chainsaw without some sort of safety equipment is kind of like driving a car without wearing a seatbelt. The vast majority of the time, nothing goes wrong and everything is just fine. But that one time something does go wrong, that stuff really does matter. If I recall correctly from the wildland chainsaw training course I took from the NPS a few years back, the majority of chain accidents involve the saw coming in contact with the operator's upper-legs or feet. So if nothing else, I'd say wearing real shoes while cutting and investing in a good pair of chaps could potentially save you some grief should an operating error ever send a roaring saw at your lower limbs. Also, using a hammer to pound a wedge inside the cut sounds like a safer way to un-pinch a sawblade compared to the documented truck-pull method. That's all just my two-cents, however.

[chumley]

@hippiepunkpirate
I don't disagree with any of that. But being safe is rarely fun. Except some kinds of safety, which are very fun. :whistle:

[hippiepunkpirate]

Except some kinds of safety, which are very fun.

You must be referring to a "safety meeting", which yes, I agree are very fun.

[Jim]

Is this where we all get to critic Chumley's chainsaw operating skills? Cause after having cut down my fair share, I would like to chime it. It's been years, but, still.

[ALMAL]

Two come to mind, one here, one in Missouri.
While solo canoe camping on the current river in Missouri I was approached in the middle of nowhere by a whacked out biker dude on meth. He was hiking up river in waist deep cold water in full leathers, at dusk, looking for his lost bike, which was actually near where I was camping. He wanted to "borrow" my flashlight to look for his bike. He wouldn't leave, I finally had to chase him off with a hatchet, but then he lingered in the bushes and watched me for another half hour or so, I could hear him grunting. Then in pitch dark he left. About an hour later I heard a single gunshot in the not so distance... His motorcycle was still buried in the sand the next day? I still have no idea how he got it there?

On Pine Mountain south of Camp Verde, I was hiking about a 13 mile loop and ran out of water at the top of Pine Mountain, terrible planning on my part. Just moved to AZ and didn't really know how hydration works here yet. Wandered around on and off trail for hours and found a small puddle near bishop creek. Camped there and drank nasty water all night until the puddle was dry. Hiked out the next day OK.

[kingsnake]

You must be referring to a "safety meeting", which yes, I agree are very fun.

That's just perverse ...

[chumley]