Tuesday | June 7th

Today we venture to the Tongass National Forest Cascade Creek hiking trail! My cabin-mate and fellow expedition guide Randall Tate and I lead a group up the dramatic Cascade Creek canyon.

It is a technical hike with countless roots, rocks and turns on the 10-inch wide trail with steep, uneven steps and wallows of mud. Many rail-less bridges lead across skunk cabbage gardens. The entire hike follows a fast-moving river. It is an addicting ascent…one always wonders what is around the next bend.

The spirit of adventure on this hike was palpable. We worked very hard and still managed just a 1 mph pace due to the nature of the trail. We have one mis-hap on the way down just above the rushing waterfall, as Nicole slips and displaces her patella. Our week-long Wilderness First Responder training course in Seattle paid-off for us. While Randall straightens the leg, I use my thumb to easily push the patella back into anatomical position. Nicole shouts “I love you” to the surprise of husband Jason. Nicole just felt a tremendous relief from the pain. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the most pain, Nicole went from an 8 to a 1. I radio the ship for some help and a slow walk out ensues with Nicole and Jason after additional staff arrive at the scene.

 

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