Colorado Backcountry: Broke My Back
Sorry for the lack of updates lately, it’s been a painful month. On the 9th I fractured two vertebrae while riding up at Mary Jane and haven’t been on the board since. I’m off to see a back specialist from Alpine Spine clinic next week, hopefully they will be able to give me a better idea of the seriousness of the injury and recovery options. Every season I usually end up with two fairly serious injuries resulting from snowboarding as much as possible. This year it was the MCL and multiple compression fractures, last year it was broken ribs and dislocated shoulder. The year before all that, it was more broken ribs and torn rotator cuff. You get the idea.. I figured that now I’m a gimp for the next month or more, I’d post a blog entry regarding some of the sites I dig and check out on a daily basis. To all the remaining soldiers out there, keep killin’ it and I’ll see you in a few more weeks.
Blogs:
120daysofpowder.com
ski-blog.com
coloradoviaalex.blogspot.com
heavywinter.com
cyberhobo.net
Community:
sacklunch.com
biglines.com
tetongravity.com
snowfilmer.com
coloradoski.com
backcountrymaps.com
Weather/Avalanche:
cotrip.org
avalanche.org
geosurvey.state.co.us/avalanche/
www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/snotel/Colorado/colorado.html
PS. I’ve made some updates to the site UI and the Google Ads code - making it a little less noticeable. If you enjoy the content here and see an advertisement that interests you please check them out and help support us!
Update: I’ve seen the specialist on the 29th and now I’m chilling in a Jewett Hyperextension Brace for the next 2 months. It’s been about a month since my crash and burn and I’m hearing that I’ll be able to begin training and riding again by mid/late-May at the latest. I couldn’t believe when they told me I’d broke my back, to be exact it is a severe compression fracture of the T11 and minor fracture L1. The pain was very severe the first two weeks after my crash, and it has steadily decreased. I’ve certainly noticed that my back muscles are very weak and the major spasms have stopped. The only pain I feel now is the weakness of my lower back muscles and the deep throbbing pain of the T11 fracture when I bend the wrong way. The brace keeps me from putting pressure on the fracture, I wear it 24/7 except when sleeping. I’m supposed to make a full recovery, and I haven’t heard much from the doctor regarding physical therapy or exercise. I’m planning to post updates here. Check out this blog post and recovery post one year later on a similar injury. Keep an eye out for some late spring/summer backcountry trips!
March 24th, 2006 at 11:42 am
Get well bro.
March 24th, 2006 at 4:47 pm
take it slow and heal correctly! im out as well, recovered from right knee sprain in january (degenerative joint disorder), and broken right thumb on feb 17, still have 3 weeks to go. keep your spirits up and maybe we can ride some spring/summer steeps together, your crew and me and my buddy. love your blog, we’re going to have to meet up on the passes! hang tough brother!
March 28th, 2006 at 2:27 pm
You compressed your spine while hucking a 40 foot cliff band, right? Right.
Get better buddy.
March 31st, 2006 at 3:49 pm
hey, been enjoying your podcasts and blogs from summer in Australia. Sorry to hear bout your back. Hope it is all good and heals well, just look after yourself untill it does, this is your back!! Heal Well.
April 6th, 2006 at 5:15 pm
just chill out on the couch, watch some tv, and put some from water to wine in. you’ll be back in time for spring days and beers at the beach man. we’re all waiting for you, don’t worry.
April 9th, 2006 at 3:48 pm
Why didn’t it hit me earlier?
You BROKE you BACK on the MOUNTAIN?
I hope Heath Ledger was there with you bro. =) Sorry, but I had to.
April 10th, 2006 at 6:14 am
Ouuch that is an ugly thought! I wish good ole Heath or someone were there to help my cripple ass back down the mountain. Thanks for all the well wishes, I think I’m heading up to Vail this Friday for Malay Day and to hang out with Bebout. Let me know if anyone is up in that area…