Make it count: Day # 47

Day #47 - AT Hike

Tuesday, April 28 - Day #47 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 18.4
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 596.9/2,193 (27.22%)

War Spur Shelter (669.4) to Niday Shelter (687.8) - tent at Niday Shelter

Total ascent - 4,053’
Total descent - 4,384’

Total States Completed - 1/14

**Rain Day

Man - I’m a mess out there. I took another hard fall today while crossing a creek. Wet log, foot slide, BAM — leg contusion. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I never thought I was that uncoordinated. It was raining, a complicated creek crossing - I should have taken more time to plan my course.

I smacked my lower leg really good - middle way up. Just to the side of the main bone (a direct hit on that bone would have been ugly). Immediately - the area started to swell and turn colors. I put my CNOC bag (just filled with cold water) on the area for about 15 minutes while I sat down. (I seriously need to travel with a medical team). I didn’t know what to do. I stood up and tried to walk. It hurt - but pain was tolerable. I figured I’d walk a little and see what happened with the swelling and pain. The swelling stayed stable and the pain dissipated. I soon was walking normal after a mile or so. WHOA — that was another close call.

Coming into this journey - you’re certainly aware of the bees, snakes, bears, ticks, etc — but I knew an injury was my biggest concern (either from overuse or from a fall). Well - I’ve experienced both types in just the past 3 days. Hiking the AT is kind of like playing football - you’re absolutely going to get hurt - it’s just “how bad” is it going to be. The goal (just like when I played football) - is to not let whatever is hurting take you off the field/trail. So far so good - but I need to be REALLY careful out here. Honestly - it’s not like I’m freewheeling it - I am being cautious right now - but falls are going to happen. I wonder if anyone has ever gone the entire 2,193 miles without falling? I bet not.

I’m currently in my tent at the Niday Shelter. It’s getting close to 10pm. Chick Peas and Amber got into camp late - around 8pm. I was just finishing up my cooking. (I got in about 6:30pm and was the only person here until they showed up). I really enjoy talking to these guys. Today - they said they’ve been considering running a marathon when they finish the AT. WOW - incredibly coincidental. They’re talking about climbing Everest BaseCamp and running marathons. Can you say - “This is my wheelhouse”. We’ve definitely clicked on having things in common. Chick Peas is recently divorced, works as a computer programmer for the sailing industry. She travels around the world to attend various conferences. She recently got them to agree to a 6-month sabbatical for the AT and not working summer months in the future. Sounds like she’s a pretty valuable asset at her firm.

Today I did 18.4 miles - with 2 big climbs. A 1,800’ climb to start the day and another 1,300’ climb in the middle of the day. My feet are still incredibly sore and bruised when I get into camp. I’m just going to keep trying different things - Icing, elevating, Superfeet inserts, etc. At this moment in time - the last couple hours of the day are nearly torture. I cannot wait to get into camp. I think some of this is “par for the course” - but I don’t want to continue feeling like this.

Tomorrow I’m only going 15.9 miles (that’s the goal). We’ll see how my leg contusion and knotted calf perform. 15.9 tomorrow, then 17.2 on Thursday - that will give me around 10 miles into Daleville, VA on Friday. I’m planning a resupply and overnight there. No zero. I hope to get into town before noon and have the better portion of the day to rest.

Good night! Here’s to being SAFE and HEALTHY!