|
5/16/99 The Dilemma
|
|
OK, so I have walked a whole FOUR MILES today to the Churly Maple Gap Shelter. I got here at 11:30 and its now 2:00. Why am I still sitting here, unable to move? Just trying to decide if today IS a good day to quit.
Truth be told, the ankle isn't all that painful. Yes, it is bothering me and yes the extra weight of the full pack is effecting it, but the pain isn't what is making me miserable, its AVOIDING the pain. Now that there is no strength in that foot, every footfall must be perfect, every placement on a flat surface. I cannot get into a rhythm, and I cannot hike at the speed that I like to.
On the other hand, quitting means that this is a lost opportunity. Sure, I would be able to hike small sections at a time but the chance for this kind of adventure would be lost. Drive-By has moved ahead and told me to get moving and catch up with him, but I have just sat here for 45 minutes now after he left, unable to make a decision. I could of course just spend the night at this shelter, rather than move on or quit but that neither moves me ahead on the trail, or starts the process of getting me home. Not to mention I hate it when people can't make a decision so the fact that I can't right now is killing me. I'll let you know.
The No-Decision/Uncle Jonny's
I am just about to go out of my mind. I hiked 8 miles today, all for a grand total of ZERO MILES. I don't feel as bad about skipping that section now. So the plan is for me to go see this doctor in town tomorrow and get some sort of industrial strength brace for my ankle. This doctor has a reputation for not charging thru-hikers, so that would be a nice bonus.
My spirits are pretty low currently. Drive-By is ahead of me and from what I have heard, the rest of the group from Cheoh Bald won't be arriving until Tuesday night and the only way I will still be here by then is if I am going home. Talked to Mitch today, as he skipped from Hot Springs to Damascus for Trail Days. He bumped into that whole group and said that they hit the trail Friday morning. Mitch is doing well, his mileage is going up and was only stopped here on a relay shuttle back to Hot Springs. He has been hiking with this other guy Joe, and they have come up with 3 rules to thru-hiking.
This may not ring true to you at home, but these are all very important out here on the trail. As I sit here at Uncle Jonny's, I am anxious to move on, either way. On one hand I really want to get back out on the trail, catch up to Drive-By and hit Damascus in a few days. On the other hand this whole trip now seems a little silly. I mean, here I am working my butt off, clicking off miles, throwing together some sad excuse for food and going to sleep.
But despite these feelings I think I do in fact want to hit the trail again since I really would like to make it to Damascus., and catch up to Drive-By. Also, most of the people here at the hostel are now getting on my nerves.
Well, that's going to be it for tonight. I am going to read some of my book and go to bed early tonight. Stilling hanging in there…
-Chomp
< Previous Entry