My time on the AT was laughably brief. Approach Trail on Wednesday, off trail today.
I have a few long nagging physical condition/injuries that I've been long overcome by learning to live with them.
The AT shattered all illusions of sheer will being up to the challenge. For the first time in my life I was completely defeated. My legs could barely flex for most of the time going uphill. A part of my lower back where I tore a muscle was set off for the first time since recovery. I could actually feel the scar tissue when the muscle moved.
Two falls shook everything up. One on ice going down Springer and slipping as I prepared to cross a small stream just past Hawk. Went down sideways and slammed into a log.
After that moment there was no way my mind could force my body to power through as usual. My knees were almost nonfunctional.
At Horse gap i got off trail down the road with another small group and they zoomed ahead and disappeared. Eventually I made my way to Cooper and after a hassle with shuttlers, proceeded down the wrong road but hitched a ride out with some soldiers.
Yet through all this is didn't feel dismay. After a while I began to carefully feel and note everything to describe to a doctor. For the first time in my adult life I'm getting surgery and get fixed up proper. All of it is solely to go back to the trail.
These were some beautifully brief days. The trail seems indescribable. The people were amazing, hope to see them all make it.
It's only a few hours off and I miss it so.
PS- My gear worked well. I picked up a lot from Steep and Cheap. Only real thing I did totally wrong was my footgear.
If anything, I'll answer to something in this thread. Other than that I'm strictly lurking until it's time to go up trail again.