Thru-hike after Knee replacement........Did anybody accomplish one?

[Pendragon]

I've perused the topic and am asking this again because I didn't see where anyone who had a replacement done succeeded in doing a full hike of the Appalachian trail. I was able to do a section from Springer to Damascus back in '13 when I was 58 and it was a brutally beautiful experience which left me with a void and have ever since needed to fullfill......finishing the hike. I am now coming up on 62 and deciding to take early retirement which under normal circumstances would allow me to deal with my obsession with summiting Kahtahdin, but of course now my left knee AND hip are going south on me, and I sincerly doubt I could finish the trail with my knee which is KILLING me just to stand on much less hike up and down mountains on. So I ask........have any sixty-somethings out there with at least ONE total replacement managed to do at least 75% of the trail in one season? If it CAN'T be done for whatever reason........well.......I'm not sure I could fill that void staring at pictures of OTHER people smiling from the top of a mountain. Please......SOMEBODY tell me they actually DID IT......someone....anybody?

[Engine]

The great majority of hopeful thru-hikers with NO disability do not succeed in their attempt to hike the entire trail. On a replaced joint it would take some serious grit and determination, but I have no doubt it's doable and has probably already been done. Here are examples which, to me, clearly indicate you can do it.

http://nbc4i.com/2015/12/29/female-leg-amputee-completes-thru-hike-of-the-appalachian-trail/ (http://nbc4i.com/2015/12/29/female-leg-amputee-completes-thru-hike-of-the-appalachian-trail/)

https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/knee-replacement-and-long-distance-hiking.12477/

http://jacksonville.com/news/health-and-fitness/2013-03-20/story/long-distance-hiker-keeps-going-fresh-set-knees

http://pcttrailsidereader.com/post/41934138336/joint-venture-walking-the-pct-with-two-new-knees

[Pendragon]

Thanks! I do have hope after all!


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[Kerosene]

Nothing says you have to cover 1,000+ miles on a hike either. Just get out there and start slowly (1-2 mph; 5-10 mpd) and see how far you can get!