Looking Forward

Written by Hannah Whitney

By DPS Skis

September 4^th, 2016

It was Valentine’s Day. My boyfriend Reid and I, along with two friends went into the the Wasatch backcountry with sleds, with fresh snow and adventure saturating the air. My nerves from being an infrequent snowmobiler were calmed by the serenity of the aspen groves. We were so lucky to be outside and enjoying the mountains.

We rode tandem on the sleds to the top of a pitch; jumped off with our respective skis and snowboards, and boot packed up to take turns coming down through the trees. Blood was pumping and the good times flowing. One lap, two laps, three…

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Reid and I skied together for the first time on the third lap. I headed left to avoid our previous tracks in search of fresh snow. The snow continually grabbed at my skis, but I was strong, and drove them making smooth, arcing turns.

Reid angled to the right side of the slope looking for untracked. I followed. Through the trees I could see the flat, open, snow-covered lake at the bottom of the pitch. Then, I was distracted by an untouched patch in the trees. One turn, two turns, three. I carried speed as I arced into the grove intending to shoot right back out above a mature spruce.

The snow grabbed my skis. I wasn’t going to make the turn! My right leg cleared the tree, and then, THUD! And silence. I was lying with my head downhill, looking up at this magnificent Engelmann that stopped me in my tracks.

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Three months after the accident I was concerned that perhaps I should have rehabbed more aggressively. Dr. Marshall responded, “I don’t think you understand just how serious this injury was…”

Emergency room, home, compartments syndrome, emergency room number two, surgery, hospital stay, slow recovery and physical therapy are what have followed the accident. My leg muscles atrophied so quickly. I was non-weight bearing for six weeks, and didn’t completely leave crutches behind until three months after surgery. It felt like an eternity. Anyone who has experienced a bad injury will understand what is crammed into this false eternity…loss of independence, effects of narcotic pain killers, loneliness. But I tried to remind myself how lucky I was.

Prior to the accident, I was an intermittent gym-goer. Since, physical therapy and the gym have become an integral part of my routine. My physical therapist, Mandy, at Mountain Land Therapy enthusiastically challenges me; to make me stronger and get me back on the hill, which keeps me focused when my progress plateaus and frustration peaks.

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The reality is that as much as you’d like to stay optimistic during recovery, some days just suck. When tears came uncontrollably, I’d tell people things were fine, even though I was so certain they were not.

I’ve tried to stay positive and be thankful for the small wins—like doing squats again, balancing on my left leg, getting on my bike, and going for my first hike. At five months out we took a road trip to Colorado and hiked four 14ers in a single day. Yet, I still can‘t walk down stairs properly without a railing so hiking poles are a must. Patience.

Always on my mind is slipping back into my ski boots, clicking into my Yvette’s and being back on snow. My happy place.

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Is it ironic that my day job is working to save the forests and that me, the tree hugger broke her leg on a tree. Friends joked, “you should go cut the tree down!” No, no, no. Knowing me they’re very aware I couldn’t do that. It wasn’t the tree’s fault.

“Maybe just a branch?” Nope. That tree slowed me down in more ways than one. The injury has given me plenty of time to reflect.

As cliché as it sounds, this accident was a reminder. I’m living. I am incredibly fortunate for the things I am able to do in this life and am reminded not take them for granted. Like so many others with passion for the outdoors, I will also not stop doing the things that bring me fulfillment, risks and all.

I was bummed to miss the winter teaching Boys & Girls Club kids to ski at Alta with the @SheJumps Into the Canyon program. By late March I had gained enough independence to drive myself to Alta, crutch inside and sit with the kids at lunch. I was invited to speak to them about my passion for skiing and outdoor stewardship. I’ve been fortunate to intertwine these interests with my career at @TreeUtah. I always encourage children to make the outdoors a permanent part of their lives. It’s a powerful gift.

To learn more about the #treehugging work I do, check out @TreeUtah. Also follow @SheJumps for a glimpse at the world which has inspired my passion for getting rad females everywhere involved in outdoor activities!