I suppose it is obvious that hiking the Appalachian Trail presents some physical challenges. Merely hiking the mountains is challenging, but adding a 30-40 pound pack multiplies that challenge significantly. During the first few days, my hip flexers were extremely sore and stiff. After a few days, that pain went away only to be replaced by sore and stiff calf muscles. I also realized I needed to constantly adjust my pack's straps to keep it fitting my body correctly. The straps seem to slip over time and readjustments have to be made several times a day. Feet probably present the biggest concern. Going up and down mountains causes your feet to sweat and to slip around in your shoes. That causes blisters. Between sore and injured knees and ankles, blisters are one of the major complaints of thru-hikers. Fortunately for me, I formed only one blister. I'm hoping that soon it will turn into a callous.
The mental war is more significant than the physical. I'm convinced that anyone can overcome the physical challenges of the trail if the phyiscal ailments are taking care of promptly. The mental challenge is more significant. For one thing, you are physically tired and exhausted at the end of every day. For another, you wonder why in the world you are doing what you are doing. Life is happening while you are hiking the trail. For me, I left my wife and a brand new farm to hike the trail. It was less than a year ago that I came back from Afghanistan after being gone for a year. Why in the world would I leave my wife alone again? I also want to see my farm as the Spring and Summer comes. I will miss that. For both of those reasons, I'm really challenged. What purpose does hiking the trail accomplish? Why put myself through this physical challenge just to say that I did it? I don't have good answers to any those questions. All I know is that I'm committed to doing this. Now that I've been on the trail for over 3 weeks, I realize that every morning I strike out on the trail, I'm happy!
Dad (Curtis) and daughter (Laura) have talked about through-hiking the Appalachian Trail for years. We began the journey on March 27, 2013. Dad is still on the trail. Daughter hiked through GA and racked up over 100 miles.
Curtis , we're impressed. Everything I've read by hikers mentions the head trip as well as the physical trip. We're sorry you're missing spring on your farm, but there will be other years. Theresa and lovely Laura were a huge help after the orchard massacre between our house and Mark's. it takes a "village" for more than child rearing! We leave in less than 2 wks for Ireland. We hope trail magic seeks you and the storms stay south.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes, Sarah and Rick
Thanks for writing about this. Good stuff!
ReplyDeleteSome where in the midst of your journey I am sure there are God encounters that you would not have any other way. May you enjoy each one of them and may He be your sustainer. I am sure this is a major bonding experience for you and Laura as well. May the Lord touch your body with His healing hand and give you the strength to finish the journey. Thanks for taking time in the midst of it all to give us a little glimpse into what is going on and what we can be praying for!
ReplyDeleteKeep up the hard work sir. I am motivated daily by your blogs.
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