HIking with a sprained finger

I dislocated and sprained the pinkie on my right hand. It's in a splint right now and aches like crazy. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> The splint is supposed to come off in 5 days. I am supposed to go hiking in 2 days at Savage Gulf Natural Area in Tennessee, but I'm not sure if I should. I have to hike with trekking poles (combination of bad knees and I'm a clutz) I can hold a pole on my hand right now, but I'm not sure how I would do after a few hours of using the poles. The average temperature this weekend in that area are going to be high s of 30 and lows of 15. Should I beg off this trip or suck it up? Any suggestions?

skunky <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Stay home <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
If as you say, you are a clutz, I can easily imagine breaking the finger again in a fall precipitated by not holding onto your hiking pole well enough due to pain. Also it is not nice to be sick or in pain while camping, trust me on that one.
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
Hey I just fell on the ice on my drive way and smacked my fibula, guess I'll be taking it a bit easy for a month, no skiing for a while. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Yeah, I came to that decision myself a few minutes ago. I soaked my finger, forgot to re-splint it and picked up a glass of orange juice. The scream was heard across the room. Needless to say, Bearpaw is doing this planned 3 day hike at Savage Gulf in 2 days without me. I'll nurse my hand and walk some nice flat stuff at either Radnor Lake or Long Hunter State Park.

Hope your fibula is better. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

At least I didn't screw things up by stepping on a cockroach this time....broke my ankle 5 weeks before a planned week long hike about 2 years ago.

I got my finger messed up trying to get out of the middle of a fight between 2 of my students. Worst place to ever be in a fight...stuck in between them.


Sleeps with Skunks


Day 3.......no that smell isn't the person sleeping next to you, it's the skunk curled up next to you outside the tarp last night.

Jim,

Apparently it is too dangerous to stay home. You better get out there and ski in the moonlight this weekend.

You definitely made the right decision Sleeps with Skunks. Hope your finger recovers quickly. Enjoy your casual hike this weekend.

food
Let me tell ya, the worst I've been hit on the head skiing was on my driveway when I hit rocks. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />Now I wear my helmet even crosscountry skiing. Its much warmer than any hat or hood I own. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />Besides I can pull down the goggles if needed. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

However my leg seems ok today - no cracked fibula <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />and I may as you say - ski by moonlight this weekend. How bout you? Do you do that?
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Jim,

Happy to hear you were not hurt as badly as first feared. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

It was partly cloudy for my short snowshoe last night. I thought I needed "moonscreen" when the clouds cleared at about 11,000ft.

Last year I fell in the office parking lot when I stopped to pick up my camera before a hut trip. I think I got a concussion and was sore for a week. Too dangerous to stay home where the accidents happen.

You only have just two options?? go or stay? Do a third option and camp somewhere easy, or cheat and meet your party with a very short short cut.

Ecrow.