Make it count: Day #11

Day #11 - TMB Trek

Sunday, August 13th

Hiking Day #6 - LaFouly to Champex - 9.3 miles, 1,637’ ascent, 2,073’ descent.

Hiking day success!! Just what I needed today. 6 miles of relatively flat, sloping downhill followed by a little 1,500’ uphill at the end of the day to get some confidence back. Definitely the easiest day on the TMB thus far - and it was positioned at a really good time.

I woke up feeling a little better - but not great. I was nervous about how my body would react after being down and out a couple days - so I started the day early before Greg and Korby. I ate a quick breakfast and hit the trail - while they were still eating. First couple miles I was shaky, and sweating when I probably should not have been. About mile #3 - I decided to put my headphones in and just start listening to some music. Sometimes I’m my worst enemy- I think about way too many things. I’ve found that music is a perfect distraction and always picks me up. The next 7 miles went by in a flash. Korby and Greg never caught up to me. I met them at the finish. I wasn’t going fast - just a consistent pace

I’m currently in Champex, Switzerland - a super-cool mountain town. There is a huge lake in the middle of town which draws everybody together - paddle-boarding, kayaking, fishing, swimming. We actually finished the hike around 11am and we couldn’t check into the hotel until 1-1:30pm. We decided to grab a couple drinks and just sit in the grass by the lake. It was relaxing and perfect!!

I then checked into my hotel and just decided to chill inside and rest/sleep the remainder of the afternoon. Greg and Korby went back out to check out the town - but I’ll meet up with them tonight at dinner (6:30pm).

Hoping to do a zoom call with my AT Tramily at 9pm my time - so got some things going for later.

I plan to approach tomorrow similar to today. Start early and go really slow and consistent. Lots of lingering stuff - but I’m on the upward tick!

4 more hiking days left - and everybody says the homestretch is the most scenic and beautiful part of the whole trail. If that’s true - it’s going to be epic for sure. Keep the Faith!!