It’s been a few months of inconsistent training and hiking exacerbated by work travel and Hurricane Helene.
Last night, we decided to make an effort to at least do a day hike of the next section of the AT where we left off.
So this morning at 5am we got up and drive almost 3 hours to Unicoi Gap to do an Out and Back hike to Tray Gap.
I paid for my lack of training today. My pace was really slow but the important part is I made it.
It’s been a rough few weeks and we had been feeling out of sorts.
While this isn’t the ideal way to section hike the AT( a day at a time), at least it’s :
- Easy to plan and just go when you’re only gone during the day
- Much lighter load to carry (no camping or cooking gear)
- Less dependency on things like weather getting in the way because you aren’t stuck on the trail for multiple days.
- Sleep isn’t interrupted by bears
Hiking is my self care, my therapy…. Even if I end up with muscle pain and aches at the end. At least my head and heart are clear!
Whatever it is that you need to take care of yourself, here’s your reminder to do that today.