The thing about unknown unknowns is that they can be known. If you sit down for long enough, you’ll be able to figure out most of the unknowns. The thing is, how long is enough?

I’m currently recovering from shoulder surgery. I’ve had 6 holes drilled into my humerus and my scapula. Calcium based anchors were hammered into those holes. Dyneema fiber used to reconnect my labrum to my scapula and to shorten/attach my infraspinatus tendon to my humerus. (Aka Bankart lesion repair and remplisage procedure)

On Dec 17th 2022, I made another trip to my favorite mountain in SF, Mount Sutro. I have a secret entrance in the back but that was closed off. Rather than driving around to the normal entrance, I decided to make my own.

I found a region behind someone’s home that looked like it would reach the normal trail. It was going to be a long and steep climb. I figured that once I got over the top, it would be easy to get onto the trail.

I made it 70% of the way up. It was steep but I was able to climb most of it on all fours. I could almost see the trail. I ran into a bunch of vines that had sharp thorns. I made a few good efforts but couldn’t get passed them. So I decided to walk to the right. I kept walking but the vines wouldn’t stop.

I walked far enough away from my original climb that I was getting a little lost. I looked down and that’s when it really started to dawn on me just how stupid this was.

I knew I had to get out of here. I couldn’t go up because of the vines. I couldn’t go down because of how steep it was. So I stopped and looked everywhere. I was quite literally path planning. I looked for any safe path but I couldn’t find a great one.  

I decided to go down. There were trees sporadically down the mountain. I thought I could make my way down from tree to tree. To set the mental image, I’m crawling down to each tree and then bear hugging it while I figure out my next move. 

I made it half way down the mountain and reached a tree that was alone. There weren’t any other trees in reach. Far to my right was a great grouping of trees. If I could make it to them, I would have many more options. Between me and that grouping were these tiny rocks that were pressed into the soft soil. 

So I got down onto all fours and began strafing across the rocks. At this point, I’m essentially laying on the ground. I make it half way across the rocks. I pause for a second to plan the rest of my strafe. 

The rock below my left toe slipped out of the ground. A nanosecond later, I start sliding down the mountain. I screamed uncontrollably. The only thought on my mind was to tuck my chin.

There was a branch and my leg caught it. It caused me to tumble backwards. I tucked my chin, my upper back took the impact. I then tumbled over my left side. And then again. I fully lost my orientation. I slide and rolled for a bit longer and then landed on my butt. 

I couldn’t believe it was over. I spent many minutes just breathing. Just trying to regain composure. I didn’t know what to think or do. I was just breathing.

I looked over my body and didn’t see any major bleeding. Nothing else felt out of place. I went to stand up and realized that my right arm was actually pinned between two tree trunks. As I stood, I pulled on my arm and it popped back into the joint. Adrenaline is one hell of a drug, I barely felt anything. 

I made it to the bottom, spent more time regaining my composure and that’s when I made the 2nd video.

I eventually drove home, slept and went to urgent care the next day. Multiple doctors told me I should buy a lottery ticket. I was incredibly lucky to be alive. 

Fast forwarding a bit, I did 6 months of PT. Played sports for 6 months and then on mother fucking December 17th 2023 I fucking dislocated my shoulder again. I wasn’t doing anything dumb or agro, I was literally throwing a plastic handball.

I’m not sure if there’s much of a moral to this story. I’m expected to make a full recovery with this surgery and PT. I’ve certainly learned that I shouldn’t climb higher than I’m comfortable falling.

One of the unknown unknowns associated with “trail creation” are now known: dislocated shoulder. 

If I had sat down before this experience, I would have listed sprained ankle and death as potential risks. I’m sure I would have thought of a few others but I don’t think dislocated shoulder would ever have made it on the list.

Ateev Gupta
Initial Writing: 2/22/2024
Education: Detailed Shoulder Anatomy, Detailed Surgery Explanation