New shoes

Well, since last post some things have happened.  Don’t worry, no game enders, just a mild set back.  Isn’t that what this trip is all about?  Dealing with the setbacks and unforeseen or unavoidable….or the poor choices that lead to a setback….that we learn from??  ;-)

The night of the last post, I was woken up by tornado sirens and a push to the basement of the hostel.  All ended well for us.  The next morning we were dropped off at Neel Gap in a heavy fog, cold temps and lots of wind.  We got a very late start due to some shake downs by the guys at Mountain Crossing outfitters.  Azalon needed it; I couldn’t believe what that guy was carrying.  We left around 11:30 for Low gap.  We tented on the ridge by Poor Mountain, just above low gap.  Woke up to temps in the low 20’s, and strong winds.  We proceeded to Blue Mountain shelter.  Occasional snow flurries and lots of wind once again, I can deal with the cold, but the wind was something else.  It woke me up that night, thought I was gonna be swept away in the shelter. Azalon got up in the middle of the night and left, maybe due to the cold weather and some serious snoring that was going on.  The following weather was beautiful, cold and clear skies!  We moved on to Tray mountain shelter for the next night.  Tuesday we made the 11 mile walk to Dicks Creek Gap…..LONGEST downhill EVER!

Now, you may notice the short trips.  Well, my left knee started hurting right out of Neel gap.  Apparently, while I was slack packing down Blood mountain (I was literally jogging down it) I injured the infamous IT Band.  A dull ache on flat ground, no pain on ascents, but when on the descents…..oh man, acute sharp pains.  My trek poles got me through those 3 days and just taking my time.  The way down to Dicks Creek was painful.  

Birdman had plans to be picked up and driven to Asheville for a zero day.  He offered to drop me off in Franklin on the way.  I knew the knee was gonna require a couple days rest and some icing in order to continue so I took the ride home.  There are other variables to taking these days off as well.  I need to drop pack weight by discarding items (easily done at home with no shipping cost) and I NEED NEW SHOES!  The guys at mountain crossing reaffirmed my belief that blisters were forming due to my shoes being too small.  My feet have swollen and I require a larger size shoe.  So, today I’ll be going to REI to trade in my spare set of Asolo boost for a size 11.  I’ll also be switching out my current Vasques for trail shoes.  Many people were doing this in trail shoes.  I’ve never had blister problems with low shoes and think it’s the best bet for now.  Less heat to make my feet sweat and MUCH lighter!  I’ll save the Asolo’s for the rocky stuff up north when I’ll need them.

So, I’m hoping to be back on the trail by Friday or Saturday…Sunday at the latest if the knee needs the time.  IT band is a common injury and with some stretching and R.I.C.E. I should be good to go.  If anyone reading this has any experience with this and advice, please feel free comment away.  Any and all advice to quick recovery is welcome.

I’ve covered 78.4 miles in 7 days.  Once I get dropped off again later this week, I’ll break 100 miles and go from GA into NC, completing my first state and entering my second.

So here’s to new SHOES, a better knee and getting back on the trail ASAP!