I took a pretty good leader fall on the Lower Exum Ridge on Grand Teton back in 2004. We bailed off the route. I headed up to solo the upper Exum Ridge, while my partner headed back to camp. About half way up, I realized that I had probably broken my foot. Having no choice, I finished the climb, made it home, and went to the doctor. Yep, two broken bones. After 6 weeks, he cleared me to “go for a hike” as long as I wore “substantial footwear” that would protect my foot. Technical ice climbing boots fit the bill perfectly, so I brought crampons and a couple of ice tools and headed up the main couloir on North Peak. When I got done, I drove to Tuolumne for a burger. Then I put on a pair of “substantial” trail runners and did the easiest route on Cathedral Peak. It felt great to be out again. And I was compliant the whole time.
