It's Not Just Walking

[Train Wreck]

[QUOTE=Drybones;1439488]I didn't know WB existed until long after leaving the trail. There's no way I can throw rocks... guaranteed I've made more and bigger bad decisions than the OP...anyone out there that never has made a bad one?[/rail?QUOTE]

On or off the trail?

[Drybones]

[QUOTE=Malto;1439461] I think some of the best stories involve adversity followed by success. QUOTE]

Some of life's greatest blessings are the product of adversity...they're just hard to see when the flames are all around you.

[JAK]

It's just electricity.

[Drybones]

[QUOTE=Train Wreck;1439494]

I didn't know WB existed until long after leaving the trail. There's no way I can throw rocks... guaranteed I've made more and bigger bad decisions than the OP...anyone out there that never has made a bad one?[/rail?QUOTE]

On or off the trail?

Unfortunately...both.

[Odd Man Out]

...and if he's drinking Coors Lite, would make him an ultra-light bru-hiker?

[Coffee Rules!]

It's just electricity.

+100 ......................

[MuddyWaters]

Great story.

2 things come to mind :

1) when the average american gains 50 lbs, that makes them 80 lbs overweight.
2) Now you understand why being in shape, and carrying a light pack is so important. Your chances for sucess in future are much higher.


Adventures are what make life exciting. If it was all sunny days and flat trail, it wouldnt be very exciting would it? Anytime you encounter adversity, welcome it. It will probably be your most significant memories.

[Rocket Jones]

Excellent lesson. I learned my own version years ago when I went on my first backpacking trip in a long time with some friends. I'd been hiking every weekend for a long time beforehand, but I discovered in the first mile that my hikes in the hills had in no way prepared me for hiking in the mountains.

[Special K]

This is the kind of stuff I LOVE to read! Please don't apologize for posting it. It helps new hikers more than you know. So did you go to a podiatrist to diagnose your feet? I NEVER had foot problems either until I started hiking hills in Maine to get ready for my thru hike in April. I think I was going too far, too fast. Anyway, found out I had flat feet, plantar fasciitis and sprained tendons. Crazy!!! I've had almost 3 months to heal now and have had custom orthotics made. Pain is minimal now.

Didn't mean to hijack your thread but since your reason for leaving the trail was mostly due to your feet, can you elaborate about what you are doing now to prepare your feet?

[Train Wreck]

It's just electricity.

Good point. We forgot about lightning. Add that to the mix. He must hike in the beer cave, on the treadmill inclined at 30 degrees, carrying a keg of ale, periodically sticking his finger in a light socket.

[Drybones]

It's just electricity.

+120, +230, +480....shocking!

[rocketsocks]

The whole cooler needs to be tilted. How bout a keg of beer strapped to my back?

If you can hump and hike a keg on your back..."there ain't no Mt. high enough" to stop you.

[Drybones]

If you can hump and hike a keg on your back..."there ain't no Mt. high enough" to stop you.

You'll make lots of friends too.

[Kernel]

Capt: your story reminds me of stories from the book "Not without peril". As there are many books about people who made it, a book about stories like yours would be very interesting. Good luck on your next attempt.

Kernel

[wren again]

Thanks for telling your tale. Take the next step!

[FatHead64]

It's just electricity.

+120, +230, +480....shocking!

+4160......

[FatHead64]

It's just electricity.

Good point. We forgot about lightning. Add that to the mix. He must hike in the beer cave, on the treadmill inclined at 30 degrees, carrying a keg of ale, periodically sticking his finger in a light socket.

...........

[S'more]

Great story. Thanks for sharing!

[jeffmeh]

Thanks for posting. In truth, while injury sucks, it can happen even if someone has done much more training in preparation. It sounds to me like you dealt with the weather reasonably well. There is absolutely nothing wrong with retreating from dangerous weather. I would definitely question your judgment on continuing to ascend when you heard the first close rumblings of thunder, as protocol is to quickly retreat off the ridge and get to thicker tree cover. There are sections of the AT where that retreat constitutes a much longer and time consuming descent.

I wish you well and hope you can get back out there soon.

[forrest!]

A shakedown hike - like a week on the Alabama Pinhoti for instance - would have saved a lot of grief and heartbreak. It still might be a good idea before getting back on the AT...