TR: 7/23-7/26, 2012 [McCargoe-Windigo cut short]

[Ingo]

Well the plan was to be at Washington Creek tonight, but we're in Superior, WI instead with a broken wrist (not mine). We did get to ride on a ranger boat from Todd Harbor to Windigo, though . More to come ...

[Richard1961]

Glad you're OK. Also nice to know the Rangers are doing their jobs to help. Richard

[Ingo]

Here's the off-the-cuff version until I get a chance to find my notes and put it all up on my website.

Original plan was to hike from McCargo to Windigo via the Greenstone with my daughter Laura and her boyfriend Scott.

Quick pics are here (you shouldn't need a FB account): https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 632550134c

Sun 7/22: Drive to Grand Portage from Duluth where we were visiting family. Stay at Ryden's. Supper at grill at the store by the casino--pretty good.

Mon 7/23: Breakfast at Ryden's. Take Voyageur II to McCargo. NW wind/waves on the beam made for a rocky, rolly ride, but we were fine, unlike some other folks. Sunny and warm. Get off at McCargo shortly after 1:00, and hike to West Chickenbone. Snowshoe hare and squirrels keep us company at site 1 (nice). Warm night.

Tue 7/24: Head down the Greenstone and up the ridge. Sunny and warm (too warm). Approx. 1/2 way to Hatchet, Scott goes ahead of me and Laura (he hikes 20 miles a day in the NC mts) and shortly thereafter trips and falls forward down a hill. Nothing special about the trail, just one of those freak things. Despite hurting his wrist and getting scraped up, he goes on. About an hr later he decides to wait for us--the hand looks like 1/2 a grapefruit now. We decide to press on to Hatchet and assess things there. Not making the Hatchet trail junction (we're not as far along as we think), I stop him a while later and wrap it with an ace bandage. He hooks it on his chest strap as best he can. Eventually we make Hatchet, sans H2O (2 liters each was not enough as hot as it was).

Weds 7/25: Rains constantly from 4am until about 1:00. It's clear that Scott is not going to be hiking 20 miles to Windigo (yesterday he still thought he might). Around 1:00 we head for Todd Harbor, knowing that when you need help, head for the nearest dock. Thankfully the 4 miles is pretty easy trail. Unfortunately there's no boat at Todd, but a kind couple gives us their SAM splint and we splint it up well. We end up taking group site 1, so we could be as close to the dock as possible. The only individual site open was #1, which is farthest from the dock.

Thur 7/26: 6:30am both Scott and I holler "BOAT" from our tents. We all scramble into clothes and to the dock. The fishermen are unable to reach the NPS, or another boat, so they go back out on the lake to try. A while later they come back and say the rangers will be here in 1/2 hr. Rangers Tim and Seth from Amygdaloid come by, check out Scott, and say they'll take us to Belle Isle where the water taxi will pick us up and take us to Rock Harbor. By the time Laura & I get the gear to the dock the plan has changed and they take us to Windigo (yeah!). Scott & Ranger Tim were filling out paper work most of the time.

We get to Windigo about 9:30 and immediately get ice from the store. Then hang out until the Voyageur II comes by and catch a ride back to Grand Portage. Drive straight to the E.R. in Grand Marais, where the x-rays confirm the break--straight across the end of the arm bone, but "minimally displaced," meaning it didn't need to be reset. The Dr re-splints it and says an orthopedist needs to put a cast on when he gets home--doesn't want to do it now because of the swelling.

Get a room in Grand Marais, have a great dinner at the Angry Trout, then frozen custard across the bay. Everyone's more relaxed and Scott's feeling better with the "good" pain meds.

Fri-Tues: Take our time getting back to N.C. visiting family and friends. And "Yes" Scott does want to go back! (this was his first trip).

Many thanks to Adam & ??? for the splint, the fishermen, Rangers Seth & Tim, the store for the ice, Capts Don & Mike, and everyone else who helped and offered! Despite it all it was a good trip, just a little shorter and more "adventure" than we planned . Scott got out to the island, I got up on the Greenstone Ridge, and Laura got to see her 1st moose in 4 trips (even if it was on the other side of Washington Harbor).

[Rafiki]

First off, tell Scott he has an AWWWWWWWWWWWesome beard. I totally was digging it. Second off, I'm glad it was minimally displaced and not something hideous like a compund fracture. Lastly, I am happy to know this has not made Scott rethink going back to Isle Royale again. Hopefully next time you guys get around to doing a trip together you will have better fortunes. Thanks for the Trip Report. I was very anxious to hear about things when you first mentioned you having to cut your trip short due to an unfortunate event. Again, thankfully things were not worse and Scott is doing just fine. Please pass the word along that I have a man crush on his beard too

[Ingo]

Got an update this afternoon and the Ortho Doc is recommending that he have surgery on the wrist. I guess "minimally displaced" is still "displaced".

[Rafiki]

Crap that sucks. Sorry to hear that. Hope he doesn't need too much physical therapy afterwards

[Tampico]

..., knowing that when you need help, head for the nearest dock.

This bears repeating. Everyone hiking the island should know this. Here's to a speedy recovery.

[fonixmunkee]

Sorry to hear about the wrist. I'm glad he's not letting it dissuade him from returning.

And John, you always take such amazing pictures. I think I might have to "license" some of those Chickenbone & Tod Harbor pics for my tablet background...

[brford]

Och ! sounds like a trip of a life time. I am sure that one will be talked about for years to come. Nice photos. Thanks for sharing

[Ingo]

Scott got a 2nd opinion from a hand specialist Dr who did not recommend surgery, so just a cast.

Initial trail wrap:

And after a week, looking much smaller:

[johnhens]

Glad Scott did not have to have surgery.
Too bad your trip was cut short.

[Rafiki]

Thats good news. However, if the first doctor told me I needed surgery and the second doctor told me I didn't, I'd almost be inclined to get a third opinion.

[zims]

so glad to hear your doing better!!!