Ever since I started skiing 6 years ago, I have always dreaded getting injured. For some reason I felt that it was bound to happen to me, I rather not have it happen, but the thought of getting seriously injured has always been in back of my head.
Specially since I started getting better at skiing and pushing myself from time to time, I somehow felt it was a matter of when and not if, I was going to get injured. Of course, I didn’t want it to happen but I have always been trying to mentally prepare myself for it as such. I know there are people who have been skiing for decades without any serious injury but for whatever reason I always felt that wasn’t going to be case with me.
It was the final day of Steep and Deep camp at Jackson Hole and we were going in the backcountry. We did one run which was great and now it was time for the second one. We hiked to top of 4 Pines and It looked like we were going to get some nice powder turns.
I had to make a fast right turn over a whoop and as I got into the turn, I didn’t follow the earlier tracks for some reason and my ski tip got caught in the snow. I fell forward and immediately knew that I had broken my foot. It happened all of sudden, I didn’t know how to react, there was nothing I could do about it.
All the goals for the season were destroyed in that moment, I had planned some special things which were going to be cancelled, my life was going to be in disarray and possibly never the same but it definitely took a while for me to process all that.
Since we were in the backcountry, it took Ski patrol around 45 mins to get to my location and then another 45 mins or so to get me out of there. It wasn’t easy for the patrol to get me out of there and I really appreciate their effort.
Once back at the clinic, they did primary assessment and took the X-rays. I had broken my Tibia in couple of places and it was a butterfly break. I had to go the hospital in town where the orthopedic doctor would see me and they wheeled me there in an ambulance.
Surgery seemed to be my best option for a quick and full recovery, without it I would be in cast for 12 weeks and chances were that the bone wouldn’t heal 100%. It all went pretty quick from there, I was knocked out with general anesthesia and woke up in a boot around my leg.
The break
The fix
Its been little over 48 hours since I had my surgery and I am not sure why I am writing this but It feels nice to get it all out. Its a cathartic experience while writing this post.
I mentioned earlier that I was mentally preparing myself for an injury but nothing could have prepared me. I am truly humbled and grateful for all the support that I have received from my friends and family. I am really lucky to have a support system around me which will help me overcome this difficult phase of my life. Its going to be long 6-8 weeks before I can bear full weight on my right leg and crutches are going to be my best friend.
Looking back at the accident, I can’t help but think about that one moment but at the same time I believe its entirely my fault for putting myself in this situation. It sucks but I can’t do anything about it now and its something I have come to terms with. I messed with my ski bindings while trying to adjust the DIN setting and I think because of that the ski didn’t release when it got stuck in the snow.
I learned my lesson the hard way which is going to be emotionally, mentally, physically and financially draining but at the end of the day, this entire experience is only going to make me stronger and I can’t wait to hit the slopes next season.
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