This was a trip that reminded me how minor issues in town can be very serious while hiking on a trail only four miles from the road. It also taught our group the more important side of preparation, our health. The Backbone Trail is located 40 miles north of Alexandria in the Red Dirt District of Kisatchie. It is a 7.6 mile trail that is used for hiking and horseback riding. It can be done as a weekend trip, day hike, or combined with the Caroline Dormon trail that is an additional 11.7 miles.
On this hike, we started at the north end and hiked to the south, clockwise. With a beautiful, clear sky and cool temperatures to start, we were on the trail by 10:30. Today, our “Jr. guide” was 9-year-old Robert. With a trekking pole, hydration bladder, and pep in his step, he led the group down the trail. Still signs of the forest fire from last year, the ferns were starting to take over along with some young tree growth. Keeping a steady pace with few breaks, we made it to the halfway point at the overlook area where we would break for lunch. Today, Hub City Diner prepared for us sliced turkey on tortillas with black bean salsa and white-chocolate macadamia cookies to fill our bellies.
I have worried in the past that something 
might go wrong on a trip, but I was not expecting it to happen today. As we got back on the trail after lunch, one of the hikers was not feeling well. He was complaining of nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and tingling. I also noticed that he was very pale, and after asking him a few questions, we decided that it was most likely heat exhaustion and had him drink more fluids, lie down, and elevate his feet. We also cooled him down with water on his neck and made use of the cold, leftover bags of meat and placed the bags under his arm. He seemed to be falling asleep as we talked to him, which was also a little worrisome. With all of these symptoms, I felt like he was in a potential critical situation, not just because of the possible heat exhaustion, but because we could not just go get a car and drive him out. Knowing that we were going to need help, I called 911 for a rescue.
This is a trail that not even a four-wheeler can make it through; it would have to be a helicopter or horse. And, after a long, unsuccessful period of trying to coordinate a helicopter landing or basket drop, the horseback option seemed to be the most likely transport. 
Once we had a definite confirmation on the horses, we sent the rest of the group back the way we came before dark set on us. By this time the “patient” was feeling a lot better and wanted to hike out on his own, but to error on the side of caution, I knew that if he tried to hike out he may put himself in a more critical state, especially since we really didn’t know exactly what was causing these issues.
The horses arrived around 4:30 and were able to pick him up and bring him back to the trailhead where the ambulance was waiting to evaluate him. After a thorough checkup on all of his vitals, the paramedics confirmed that everything seemed fine and he would be able to leave, but they encouraged him to go straight to the hospital. With help from one of the fellow hikers, he and his car were driven back to his house. I had a follow-up conversation with him since his doctor’s appointment, and he was doing well. 
I would like to thank everyone that was on this hike. All of you were great, and I really appreciate how each of you helped. I also appreciate how understanding you were with this experience. I enjoyed my time with this group, and I hope we can have a “re-do” so you can experience the entire trail.
Be wild, get outdoors!
-Kevin Wallis, Trip Leader
Follow this link to see the rest of the photos from the trip: https://packpaddle.com/events-and-trips/recent-trips-photos/?album=BackboneHikeMarch182012