This past week the weather has behaved for Jason’s (our son from Memphis) visit. The skies have been uncharacteristically sunny and clear. On Friday, the 13th, DH (dear husband), Janet and Jason decided to enjoy the good weather by taking a nature hike. No matter how good I was feeling, I knew better than to try to go along; so instead, I stayed home and rested.
They chose the beautiful and popular 5 mile Multnomah Falls loop. The trail starts with an easy quarter mile climb to the footbridge. After crossing the foot bridge, there is 1.1 mile paved path that continues to the top of the 542 foot falls. Once at the top of the falls, the path meanders into the forest, following the streams that feed Multnomah Falls. The trail then winds over to the beginnings of the neighboring Wahkeena Falls and continues to follow its cascading waters back down to the bottom of the mountain.
The arrows in the photo above show the route that is taken to start the 1.1 mile trek to the top of Multnomah Falls. Just a little off the photo, to the left of the last arrow, Jason stopped on the paved path to look down the very steep hill below him. As he assessed his surroundings, the asphalt under his feet crumbled and sent him falling. Janet and DH could only watch helplessly as he tumbled down the severe incline. They estimate it was a fall of 20 to 25 feet before a tree finally stopped him.
It was much, much further and too dangerous to consider continuing going down the hill, so Jason had no choice but to climb back up. There was not a lot of rooted vegetation on the hill side to grab on to, which made the climb up even more treacherous. Some fellow hikers helped by making a “human chain” to hoist him back up to the path. Other than a few scratches, sore shoulder and lost eyeglasses, Jason was fine! Janet, Jason and DH decided to continue their trek and completed the entire hike.
Yesterday we found a same-day eyewear store and replaced his glasses. We are so very grateful that Jason is returning to Memphis with no more bodily damage than a few minor injuries that will heal by next weekend.
Today is a good an extraordinary day!
Dear Deborah,
Haven’t been on the computer this week except to work on end-of-quarter, end-of-year stuff and to get ready for the accountant on Tuesday. Was actually surprised to see so many interesting things that I have missed. Can’t believe how Jason was not badly hurt on his fall, and then to continue was really amazing. Hope he thought the hike was beautiful. If nothing more, he certainly will remember Multnomah Falls. Glad the weather behaved for his Northwest trip. Trust you are tolerating this new Chemo concoction and so happy to hear this wonder drug is doing its job.
Braved the weather predictions yesterday and with another friend drove to Eugene for a memorial service. The service was for a long-time friend’s 41 year old son. Judy just completed (Thursday) 33 radiation treatments for breast cancer. She has had quite a time dealing with everything. At the first word of snow or freezing rain I hole up in my warm house like a mole, I certainly had to take my brave pills to venture out of the house yesterday. Was very glad we went and got home safely and ahead of any bad weather. Did you get any snow at your place? Sometimes think the news people don’t have enough to do and just like to keep people off the roads.
Tomorrow is a school holiday so I will have the boys. Plan to have them help me take down the North Pole. They save me many trips up and down the basement and love the $5 after the job is done. Of course, if we have snow they’ll probably spend a great deal of time on the hill right across from their house (a school yard). Wouldn’t even be surprised if they try to ski down.
Stay warm, I’ll talk to you soon. Maybe see you Friday night at bridge?
Love, Barbara
Wow, that is so terrifying for your family, and especially for Jason! I am so glad that he survived with only minor injuries. I’ve done that part of the hike myself, and it is indeed quite a steep incline!
Hi Nina – I tried to describe how steep it is, but if you haven’t been there, you have no idea. Everyone who lives around here has made the same comments that you have – Jason is really, really fortunate to have been able to have walked away with relatively few injuries.