This maker commemorates lives lost at the Laurel Fork Falls |
We all know there are certain dangers found when hiking. Weather extremes.
Injuries from the act of hiking over terrain. Illness. The occasional wildlife encounter
or insect / plant life encounter that goes bad. But there are also other
hazardous that can even be life threatening. Sometimes there have been drownings.
Medical conditions such as heart attacks. Even crime, though extremely rare. The trail itself, in all its varying terrain, can
deliver near life and death experiences.
A few years ago year ago, a father and
son lost their lives at Laurel Fork Falls, right along the famous Appalachian
Trail near Hampton, TN.
While thinking on this tragedy, I was
alerted to another hiker that had a similar fateful fall at these waterfalls and nearly drowned.
Hiker "Slim" shares her harrowing experience in this journal entry from her hike:
We stopped at Laurel Fork Gorge to dip our feet in the water. We met another hiker, Bob, from upper
Hiker Slim nearly drowned at Laurel Fork Falls |
Where Slim fell and could not breath |
Bogey jumped in and saved Slim. Here they are safe and only wet just after the incident. |
I told him he could have drowned. He said he would have pushed me out first. Bogey lost his pepper spray in the creek. I was so grateful to him for loving me enough to risk his life for me.
Wow. Such a story makes one think and appreciate life and those we love so much more. Heroism can be so overlooked by the bad we hear. Its good to reflect on the goodness we find in the trail experience. And also to take those extra precautions and be aware of our surroundings, knowing that danger exists on the trail.
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