Hello all. Some of you old timers may know me from the ELR threads. I don't post much now days but today I have a story to tell.
On Wed evening a buddy & I hiked into the Mt Baker wilderness for the high buck. Ive been training for this hunt for months. The hike in was only 3/4 mile & almost 1000' up from the trail head. It was a tough hike but we made it in good time.
The next morning we left to start hunting. Got a pic of a Nanny goat & her kid but nothing else. It was a bit smokey like everywhere around here but not bad really. After eating lunch I headed back to camp & gradually got winded. I was still winded & breathing hard several hours later & was debating trying to head back but it was getting late so I went to bed early at 9:00 hoping I would recover & hike out in the morning.
I woke up at 1:00am gasping for breath. I have Verizon to thank for my life. If I'd had any other service I would not been able to call for help.
I actually had service & called 911. The dispatcher transferred me to Watcom Co & the sheriff started mobilizing search & rescue.
It was dark & a storm front was coming with limited visibility so the Navy helo was not approved so a team had to hike in to save me.
I was able to hang on & a 4 person team finally arrived at 8:00. The Dr immediately checked my pulse & said it was 122 sitting down & I was breathing like I was hiking up hill with 80# on my back.
One of the team volunteered to carry my gear down with my buddy & coordinate the still arriving additional team members.
Eventually they had enough hands & I was strapped into a litter & the trip down commenced.
It took 8 people over 4 hours to extract me.
I have to thank everyone who participated in this effort. I'm virtually certain I would not have made it back on my own power.
I spent almost 2 days in the hospital undergoing many tests. I'm home now with my dogs but no answers as to what happened. The EMT's told me that the only thing out of whack was my CO2. It was 14 with 100% O2 & my heart rate had fallen to the low 80's by then. I was actually hyperventilating.
All the tests results were negative for any issues. My lungs are great & my heart is great. My stress test was above normal. There is no explanation for what happened. Its frustrating but I'm glad to be alive.
The Watcom Co sheriff & Skagit search & rescue did a superb job & I thank them all for saving my life. If not for them I would not be here today.
I wish I knew who they were so I could thank them in person but I don't so in case anyone knows a search & rescue guy or gal. Please thank them for what they do.
Thank you.
On Wed evening a buddy & I hiked into the Mt Baker wilderness for the high buck. Ive been training for this hunt for months. The hike in was only 3/4 mile & almost 1000' up from the trail head. It was a tough hike but we made it in good time.
The next morning we left to start hunting. Got a pic of a Nanny goat & her kid but nothing else. It was a bit smokey like everywhere around here but not bad really. After eating lunch I headed back to camp & gradually got winded. I was still winded & breathing hard several hours later & was debating trying to head back but it was getting late so I went to bed early at 9:00 hoping I would recover & hike out in the morning.
I woke up at 1:00am gasping for breath. I have Verizon to thank for my life. If I'd had any other service I would not been able to call for help.
I actually had service & called 911. The dispatcher transferred me to Watcom Co & the sheriff started mobilizing search & rescue.
It was dark & a storm front was coming with limited visibility so the Navy helo was not approved so a team had to hike in to save me.
I was able to hang on & a 4 person team finally arrived at 8:00. The Dr immediately checked my pulse & said it was 122 sitting down & I was breathing like I was hiking up hill with 80# on my back.
One of the team volunteered to carry my gear down with my buddy & coordinate the still arriving additional team members.
Eventually they had enough hands & I was strapped into a litter & the trip down commenced.
It took 8 people over 4 hours to extract me.
I have to thank everyone who participated in this effort. I'm virtually certain I would not have made it back on my own power.
I spent almost 2 days in the hospital undergoing many tests. I'm home now with my dogs but no answers as to what happened. The EMT's told me that the only thing out of whack was my CO2. It was 14 with 100% O2 & my heart rate had fallen to the low 80's by then. I was actually hyperventilating.
All the tests results were negative for any issues. My lungs are great & my heart is great. My stress test was above normal. There is no explanation for what happened. Its frustrating but I'm glad to be alive.
The Watcom Co sheriff & Skagit search & rescue did a superb job & I thank them all for saving my life. If not for them I would not be here today.
I wish I knew who they were so I could thank them in person but I don't so in case anyone knows a search & rescue guy or gal. Please thank them for what they do.
Thank you.
