Day 29: Sassafras Gap Shelter to Stecoah Gap

This is funny, I almost forgot to write this post! I’m currently laying down and was almost asleep. Then I had that gnawing feeling that I was forgetting something. All of a sudden it hit me… BLOG POST!

Perhaps the reason I so easily forgot is because I’m so comfortable. Why so comfortable? Because I’m in a bed at a hotel in Robbinsville, NC.

Yes, yes… I know I was just in town only two days ago, and not scheduled for another town until Fontana tomorrow. What happened?

What happened is that I was extremely sore and tired all day during my hike. Even at the very beginning of the day it was a struggle to climb out of the shelter site. Usually in the morning, I’m full of rested new energy and ready to attack the day (like birds of prey, for you Rush fans). But today, the day attacked me and it won.

Following that climb, even the downhills were a struggle. Usually the downhills are where I really make up my pace. But not today. Today, every step downhill was a jar-the-knee affair. It’s as if I didn’t have the muscle control to maintain my usual slightly bent knee posture, and so my legs would default to a fully extended posture.

The climbs that followed were equal painful to a different muscle group, mostly the calves and ankle muscles. Even straight level sections were painful.

Mentally, this combination of things was defeating. I can usually point out some physocal aspect of a day’s hike that that was spectacular. Things like, “wow, I did that mile long climb in only 30 minutes!” or, “wow, I did that whole three mile section in only an hour!” But today, there was nothing spectacular about the hike.

By the time I reached Stecoah Gap, I felt completely spent and that I just could not get any further today. A quick time and map check revealed it was 530pm and I’d only covered 6.7 miles. From here it was another 4 miles to my short destination for the day; Cody Gap. There was no way I’d make that.

I considered my options. Option 1 was to hike another 2.4 miles to the next shelter. Option 2 was to camp here, literally beside the road since there are no flat spots anywhere else. Option 3 was to hitch a ride into Robbinsville and stay in a room.

Option 1 was a non-starter – the climb out of Stecoah Gap is steep. I honestly didn’t feel I could hike any further, let alone taking on a steep climb. Option 2 was convenient but not ideal for safety reasons. That left option 3.

With a room in town, I took advantage of it. I had dinner at Wendy’s, and stopped by Walgreens for a bag of Epson Salt. Back in the room, I cleaned up and soaked in the tub for a while. We’ll see if it helps the soreness any.

So here I am about asleep and struggling to finish this post. Tomorrow morning at 730am, I am being picked up and taken back to Stecoah Gap. If I am to arrive in Fontana tomorrow as planned, I will have to punch out a 15 mile day.

Wish me luck!

Wandering on

Mojo