...but he did fall. just maybe not all the way. assuming he wasnt on the side of a dangerous cliff, or hill with jagged rocks, falling down a hill could be less painful that stabbing a cactus into your hand

I feel your pain, more than once that's happened to me. But really, at the end of the day, a hike in the beauty of the desert is worth the pains endured.

atleast you grabbed something

I hate cactuses they're terrifying.

Curse our instincts causing us to grab the nearest prick-ly item

A common reaction...but a not the sharpest

Sweet merciful Eris, talk about bad luck. FYL and hope you didn't get stabbed too badly.

I had an experience very similar to this when I was young. I was sliding down a river bank and grabbed onto a plant to stop myself falling in the river. Unfortunately that plant was gorse. I have had a phobia of gorse ever since.

It's always the pricks in life. They'll get you every time.

What a prickly situation to get yourself into.