Hey, MT.  I just got around to reading your thread after some folks on bwca.com referenced it.  Bad luck on your mishap, but glad you made it back home in one piece...more or less.  I wouldn't beat yourself up much.  Anyone who gets out of their comfort zone a bit and takes calculated risks get a plus over someone who stays in their comfort zone all the time. 

My knee crapped out on me this summer as well, but not as bad as yours.  Hope you get well soon and "back in the game."  Like you, I'm now 51 and I can see the writing on the wall as far as portage weight goes.  I used to carry 90 pounds without too much trouble.  But the knee is telling me no more.  I tripled several of the portages this year, including the last half of the Death March.  I just can't get myself to leave behind my "comfort" items yet.

Re SPOT, I've used the first version 2 years now.  Yeah, the annual $99 fee kind of sucks, but I do it more for my wife and kids.  She actually commented this year that it was nice to watch my progress with the knee acting up.  Like db, I leave a map with my planned route, but tell her to not be surprised if and when I deviate from the plan.  After reading your recent experience, she's likes the SPOT even more knowing that if I ever do hit 911, the evac actually happens.