I was working in the Pisgah National Forest as a Wilderness Field Instructor for a Wilderness Therapy Program in North Carolina. It was Sunday evening about 8:15 on May 4, 2008, when I heard over the radio another instructor team was calling for support. As I stepped away from the group it was relayed to me that the head instructor had been bitten by a snake and they needed to evac out to base camp to get him proper medical attention. Apparently they had tried to call for assistance from our base camp and from the primary response system but couldn't reach anyone. I then offered to come support them on their 2 mile hike to base, but I would have to cover about a mile before I could get to them. 

Initially, I was told they thought they could make it without my support, but then they radioed back saying that the instructor was beginning to have an altered level of consciousness and could I come assist but they would be on the move. Immediately after I had ensured that the group I was working with was in a stable situation I then began making my way to the other group.

I had covered about a mile closing the gap between me and the injured party when I severly twisted my ankle. Knowing that I couldn't stop until the other group was in contact with additional support I tightened the laces of my boot and kept moving. About a half mile later I had closed the gap and between myself and the staff I had been working with communication had been established with base and the primary response system to assist the injured staff member to the hospital. So with less than a half mile between the injured party and base camp I began my 2 mile hike back to my group on my "bum" ankle.

By the time I made it back to my group it was pitch black and I was in considerable pain. My co-staff then readied my sleeping bag and ground pad and tarp for the evening and then went to task splinting my left ankle. I had not set up a shelter for the night due to the beautiful weather we had been having and as soon as she had finished splinting my ankle it began sprinkling. But I slept snug and dry in my Echo 0 degree sleeping bag with my splinted left foot protruding through the side zipper with my Chockstone Jacket being used as a wrap from the cold damp air. 

The next day after I hiked out using crutches and assistance from our medical staff. I was told that the "snake bite" was possibly from the "sticker bush snake". I on the other hand was told that I have multiple torn ligaments in my foot and ankle and was given a pair of crutches to hobble around on...

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