CLASSIC INJURIES
Switzerland’s Most Dangerous Animal Lisa Lampe
You don’t necessarily associate Switzerland with dangerous animals, but one nearly took my leg off …if you allow for some degree of exaggeration in this story.
I had found control #4 with some difficulty but was confidently on my way to #5, with the small gully I was headed for already in sight, when I suddenly went into a hole. The tearing noise I heard coupled with sudden searing pain in my ankle suggested that I wouldn’t be finishing the course. Ambushed by a marmot !!! In severe pain I was faced with a dilemma – blow my whistle for help or try to hobble to the first aid station? I studied the map and saw that I was only 50m from some relatively smoother ground – a broad yellow strip which in winter was a ski piste. Not too far down, I thought, was the first aid station – though it was actually a long 500 metres. I would also have to descend 75m. When I was able to get up I began a painful hobble down the mountain – naturally taking a quick glance on the way to confirm that I had indeed been right near my next control.
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Once I reached the first aid station they took me down in a truck to the main first aid facility near the assembly arena. There they examined the ankle and suspected a fracture so they arranged for me to be stretchered down the mountain (from 2000 metres) to get medical attention. I was taken back down prostrate on the floor of the train on which we had come up, and into the back of a waiting ambulance. The verdict – no fracture, but a very bad ligament tear, with six weeks in an ankle brace and definitely no orienteering.
Each day saw us take a bewildering variety of conveyances up to various mountain resorts – Gornergrat, Schwarzee, Trochener Steg, Riffelalp and Sunnegga. The terrain was striking – Trochener Steg looked like a moonscape of rock and gravel. The terrain at every event was incredibly rough under foot as we covered glacier moraine, ancient rock falls and high alpine meadows. In fact, most people found the physical challenge greater than the navigational challenge.
Two memorable aspects of my experience deserve mention. First, the incredible support of all the other Aussies was enormous comfort in my pain and disappointment. They responded immediately to the public address announcement of my misadventure and request to collect my belongings. They were there to meet me as I emerged on crutches from seeing the doctor; they came to visit in a steady stream when I was laid up in bed; they carried my luggage from train to train for me on the way back to Zurich; and our honorary Swiss Aussies opened their home to me in Zurich so I could rest for a week. Thank you all.
WISS O Week 2006 took place in and around Zermatt (elevation 1600 metres). Six days of events held in spectacular mountain scenery at elevations of between 2500 and 3000 metres. It was attended by a substantial contingent of Aussies this year, making our mark in our vibrant green and gold t-shirts.
Every day there were casualties from the rough terrain and the heat (!) But the setting was magnificent. Countless snow-covered peaks surrounded us, with the Matterhorn the stand-out star of every photo. Many of us went walking after our courses and were able to enjoy Switzerland’s flora and fauna. The lower alpine slopes were blooming with countless species of alpine wildflowers, and in the fields above Zermatt the Swiss cows grazed with their bells ringing as they walked. Those out early reported seeing the shaggy black & white mountain goats, and spotting the occasional marmot.
Secondly, the preparedness of the medical services at the Swiss O Week and their kind and professional assistance were much appreciated. I had a fabulous time overall in Switzerland, but you will understand how, from my point of view, the marmot is Switzerland’s most dangerous animal.
The Swiss are very fond of this small animal. It’s some type of rodent and looks like a cross between a beaver and a squirrel. Marmots dig burrows in the ground where, presumably, they spend much of their time since you don’t see many out and about. But you sure see a lot of burrow holes. I had made it safely through the first five days of SOW. The last day started at Blauherd and we were to descend 330 metres in a zig-zagging course down the mountain. The terrain was a mix of rock, grass and low ground cover, with small pines dotted around. And very rough underfoot. 36 THE AUSTRALIAN ORIENTEER OCTOBER 2006
Footnote: after resting in Zurich, Lisa went to Aarhus for WOC and was able to get out on the WOC Tour courses on most days with the help of that ankle brace and Nordic walking sticks. She started with just a couple of controls but by Day 6 she got all controls bar one – radical but successful rehabilitation for a serious injury.
