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View Full Version : A series of unfortunate day hikes


gracebowen
03-10-2021, 01:35
Well in October I got to visit the AT.
I got there a day early and hiked the approach trail from the top of the falls to the arch in regular street sandals.

That night at camp I couldnt find my hiking sandals. Couldnt find the next morning either. Had a shuttle to catch so hiked the next day in sandals too.
Sprained my ankle and hiked the next day anyway. From springer to high shoals road. Then that night shut foot in car door.

Hiked springer to forks still in sandals because ron was still shuttling us around.



Finally got sneakers. Finished approach trail.
The hikes got a lot better and easier.

I did seriously underestimate the roughness of the terrain. I also didnt rest enough because so much to do and see in so little time.

By neels gap i was never thru hiking the trail. :)

I did a few miles in every state to PA
I saw Max Patch
The ponies and
McAfee Knob along the way.

McAfee knob and back is now the longest hike I did in 1 day.

I wish I had spent more time in HF but I do plan to go back.

I met Lone Wolf and Farmer Chef.

My knees still hurt.
Cant wait to go back and am again hoping for a thru hike someday.

Starting out in proper shoes. LOL
The picture of my ankle is 3 days after i stopped hiking.
illabelle
03-10-2021, 06:45
Glad to see you got out there!
Ain't no fun trying to hike in the wrong shoes. Our feet are SO important! I think I could do without my head easier than I could do without my feet.
Maineiac64
03-10-2021, 08:33
Still fun though right! When your climbing some steep part and questioning even doing the day-hike much less even considering a thru.
Gambit McCrae
03-10-2021, 09:14
The trips that go smooth are hard to remember, the trips where it all goes south (no pun intended) are the ones that always stand out. Congrats on getting out there and sticking with it when things went wrong. Nothing wrong with hitting the good spots along the way!
JNI64
03-10-2021, 09:44
Awesome thats the spirit way to embrace the suck and work through the pain. And wanting to come back for more says alot.

Alot of the trail is easy to under estimate what looks like a little bump on the map kicks my butt sometimes.

You say you've hiked a few miles in every state up to PA, well you're done the state of WV then.

Huh no edit and now no emojis : ( ......
BlackCloud
03-10-2021, 10:42
If I ever wrote a book about the AT that would be my title.
Teacher & Snacktime
03-10-2021, 11:05
You forgot to mention Laurel Falls in the dark (oh those stairs) & Damascus in the rain, and Max Patch and Wayah Bald!

You can't say we didn't have an adventure! :)
gracebowen
03-10-2021, 17:12
You forgot to mention Laurel Falls in the dark (oh those stairs) & Damascus in the rain, and Max Patch and Wayah Bald!

Damascus was wet and cold. Yes all that too. Im on my phone.

You can't say we didn't have an adventure! :)

It was a great adventure.
gracebowen
03-10-2021, 17:15
Still fun though right! When your climbing some steep part and questioning even doing the day-hike much less even considering a thru.

That was Laurel Falls. Part of me wanted to kill Teacher for getting me into that mess. Lol jk. I felt very accomplished at the end.
gracebowen
03-10-2021, 17:16
The trips that go smooth are hard to remember, the trips where it all goes south (no pun intended) are the ones that always stand out. Congrats on getting out there and sticking with it when things went wrong. Nothing wrong with hitting the good spots along the way!

The whole trip was to hit the good spots.
gracebowen
03-10-2021, 17:18
Awesome thats the spirit way to embrace the suck and work through the pain. And wanting to come back for more says alot.

Alot of the trail is easy to under estimate what looks like a little bump on the map kicks my butt sometimes.

You say you've hiked a few miles in every state up to PA, well you're done the state of WV then.

Huh no edit and now no emojis : ( ......


Yes a few miles in every state from GA to WV. Next time im going to plan a whole day for Harpers Ferry.
One Half
03-11-2021, 14:39
If I ever wrote a book about the AT that would be my title.

I was just thinking "this would make a great book title!"
rickb
03-11-2021, 15:08
I met Lone Wolf ...

That would have made my day.

Much respect for pushing through your footwear challenge!
gracebowen
03-13-2021, 19:02
That would have made my day.

Much respect for pushing through your footwear challenge!

Those sandals were not made for the AT
gracebowen
03-13-2021, 19:10
Oh and I forgot to mention. I had a broken thumb too. I broke it about 4 weeks before I went.