Chapter 30 Wes
It’s day two of working on getting this tree down and I feel like we’re no closer than where we had been yesterday. It’s a big, old pine, and while we usually try to leave trees as they fall and let the forest be, this one is too big and is suspended across a trail near an outhouse, which means it’s a risk to campers and hikers, so we’ve got to take it out.
Erick and I, along with a couple others, have been assessing the best way to remove it after getting down most of the bigger branches and brush yesterday. If it were thinner, it would be a straightforward cut and move, but the thickness, angle, and height is proving difficult to figure out. After talking about every option we decide that I’ll go up and make a couple of shallow cuts with the others far away to see if the tree will fall on its own. Once on the ground it will be easier, and safer, to cut.
I put on some protective gear and start shimming up the ladder. I had forgotten how everything feels bigger here. The trees are bigger, and even the air feels bigger. Being able to look out over the cliffs and see water for as far as your eyes can see is unforgettable. But getting to be even higher, even with the treetops, it’s magical.
There’s something about being out here that clears your mind. We’ve moved campers away from the area and it’s quiet—just the guys and me working. Peaceful. But I know this isn’t a sightseeing activity, so I bring my focus back to the task at hand.
After reaching the top, I work to secure myself and get things set up for the cuts. I begin the first and it all goes to plan, but when I start the second, the tree starts to move in an odd way that we didn’t predict, rolling towards me instead of away as we had thought. I think quickly and follow my training, jumping backward off the ladder, untethering myself in a split second, and preparing to roll out on hopefully some soft brush.
I hit the ground and roll, but hear something crack loudly in my leg. A pain rushes through my body like I’ve never felt before, then everything goes black.
Waking up, I see Erick and the others huddled over me. My breathing quickens and I start to try to move. Erick is quick to quiet me though. “Hey, buddy, you’ve got to stay still right now, okay?”
Looking around, I see the worried eyes. My breath doesn’t slow, but I start to realize that something’s happened to me. “Tonya’s going to kill me,” I whisper. Erick smiles, but there’s something behind his smile that darkens. “Am I okay?” The looks on their faces tell me otherwise. “What did I do?” I try hard to remember what happened, thinking back to the day’s events but all I can remember is waking up next to Rose yesterday, dropping her off at home, and then getting her gift. “What were we working on?”
“You need to keep still, we have rescue coming out to get you, but it could be a little bit.” Erick looks down at me again, giving me an encouraging nod, I realize they already have me secured on a hard-backed stretcher with my head secured—which they only use when they’re concerned about a spinal injury.
“How long have I been out?” I look from Erick to each of the guys. They all give me the same blank stare that I’ve given to injured rangers before. This is not good . “Erick, you’ve got to tell me something, what happened?”
“The tree you were working on rolled a different way than we thought and knocked you off the ladder. You were able to untether, but you hit the ground pretty hard—fell at least ten feet. You’ve been unconscious for a couple of minutes and your leg is clearly broken in at least one place. But, I’ve got you. Help is coming and we’ll figure this out, okay?”
My breathing feels difficult all of a sudden. This is definitely not good . Okay, breathe, breathe. You fell from high up, and they don’t know how bad it is. You don’t want to move, stay still . I close my eyes to try to block everything else out and focus on Rose and will myself to stay calm for her. How could this happen?
“When did you say they’re coming to get me?” But just as soon as the words are out of my mouth, I hear more boots walking towards us. I try to look in the direction of the sound, but can’t see anything with my head stuck in this vise.
“Oh, thank god.”
Oh, Erick. Always such a caring friend.
As the team begins to assess me and move me out of the park, I call out for Erick. “Hey, can you call Rose? Please, don’t worry her, but I want her to know what’s going on so she doesn’t feel blindsided. Would you just let her know?”
A few tears spring to my eyes. I know that I should feel grateful to be alive, and I am, but I also have this worry about what’s going on and what they’ll find once we get to the hospital. I feel Erick next to me again. He whispers next to my head, “I’ve got you, buddy. I’m right here. I’ll follow right behind the ambulance. Even if it’s something bad, we’ll figure it out”
I take another deep breath. You’re okay. You’re alive. You’re okay. Don’t move.