Kathryn Wall from the USA suffered a debilitating skiing accident and set her sights on the Walker’s Haute Route to motivate her recovery.
Kathryn above the melting snow pools in the high alpine plateau. Grand Desert, Walker’s Haute Route. Photo: Kathryn Wall.
“I travelled to Sweden to compete in a recreational slalom ski race and was in good shape and spirit. The race itself went great - one of my best. Unfortunately, as I was coming to a stop just past the finish line, I fell and broke my leg in four places. Having broken my other leg many years before, lying there on the snow, knowing my leg was broken and knowing what to expect, I pounded my fists into the snow thinking: not now, not here.
After three nights in hospital, surgery to put in 13 screws and two plates, and a 20-hour flight with three stopovers, I was home. The next day, I got up and worked 11 hours.
Very little stops me.
Prior to the accident, I had made plans to travel to London in May with friends. After the accident, I thought for sure I wouldn’t be able to make it. However, as May came around I was able to walk in the boot with one crutch, so I was confident to make the trip and it was great! Based on the success of this trip, I spent a month in Budapest with a dear friend in July. I had only been off the crutches and boot for a week when I departed. We even managed a small day hike when we went to the country of Georgia.
This spectacular blue lake is also a popular day hike destination in the Alps. Lac Bleu is on the Tour of Matterhorn and Walker’s Haute Route. Photo: Kathryn Wall.
I draw strength from things like this. I was motivated to get back to my “before” state as soon as I could. As soon as my physiotherapist cleared me, I was back riding my stationary bike with my broken leg in a sneaker (it was too swollen to go into the cycling shoe!). Initially, I couldn’t ride more than 10 minutes and the speed was painfully slow, but over time, I was able to increase the duration and this motivated me. There were setbacks, but I ploughed forward.
Soon after, the stars aligned and I was able to take a long holiday from work and hiking the Haute Route was top of my list. I fell in love with the Alps years before and, as I tend to do these trips on my own, the lure of the mountain huts and accommodation along the way was super appealing.
Photo: Kathryn Wall.
I started planning, once I found The Hiking Club, thats when things really started falling into place. Given I only had 2 months to prepare, I was a bit nervous about how the leg would hold up. Although I was in good shape from my training, I knew my leg needed some work to get ready for the distance and back-to-back days of walking. I put together an aggressive training plan involving lots of walking, hiking and spin classes.
I made it! Weeks later, while on the Haute Route trail, I was approaching Col de Louvie feeling swift, strong and on top of the world … and then I saw seventeen Ibex! It was such an amazing gift - I was beaming from ear to ear!
I loved every minute of the Haute Route. The Alps are my happy place and I left with a clear mind, full heart and tired legs! After walking 127 miles with 38,000 feet ascending, and 33,000 feet descending I can officially say #whatbrokenleg !”
The ibex approaching Col de Louvie. Ibex are a common sight within the Swiss Wildlife Reserve near Verbier. Photo: Kathryn Wall.
Kathryn’s story features in our book, Modern Adventurers: hiking stories from the Alps. You can meet Kathryn over on at The Hiking Club community, join here!