Damn. I cannot walk more than a mile on flat land without a pack until the right knee flares up. I have been in denial, but have to face the reality that there is no way I am going to be able to hike this demanding, rigorous trail.
WILDCAT calls and we discuss options, but there really aren't any. The hike is over before it even began, but it is still tough to accept.
Sunday, September 4, 2016
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Knees
There is a problem. WILDCAT and I are set to hike the trail in mid-September. I want to hike.
But my right knee is now hurting. As I take training hikes, the pain increases. The longer I hike, the worse it gets. I have just four weeks to get in shape, but my training walks are getting shorter and shorter due to knee pain. My initial strolls of a few miles are now just a mile long. This is not good.
I recognize the pain since it led to surgery in the other knee last year. My left meniscus (cartilage) is deteriorated, so the surgeon did a temporary microfracture surgery to replicate some temporary cartilage. Now my right knee hurts.
I try to deny the reality I face, though I fear down deep that this hike is not going to occur. I desperately want this hike to happen. Am I really too old? Are my hiking days behind me already?
I let WILDCAT know that I am having knee problems, but I refuse to call off the hike, at least not yet. WILDCAT just bought his non-refundable tickets. This hike has to happen.
But my right knee is now hurting. As I take training hikes, the pain increases. The longer I hike, the worse it gets. I have just four weeks to get in shape, but my training walks are getting shorter and shorter due to knee pain. My initial strolls of a few miles are now just a mile long. This is not good.
I recognize the pain since it led to surgery in the other knee last year. My left meniscus (cartilage) is deteriorated, so the surgeon did a temporary microfracture surgery to replicate some temporary cartilage. Now my right knee hurts.
I let WILDCAT know that I am having knee problems, but I refuse to call off the hike, at least not yet. WILDCAT just bought his non-refundable tickets. This hike has to happen.
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Planning the Hike
WILDCAT and I are mapping out plans for a September hike. This just might happen!
The Bigfoot Trail is a long distance hiking trail through the Klamath Mountains of northwest California and (briefly) southwest Oregon. The trail begins in the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness and ends near the Redwood National Park at the Pacific Ocean in Crescent City, CA. The major focus of the trail is conifer diversity, passing 32 species along 360 miles, passing through six wilderness areas and one national park.
Of the 360 miles, about 100 miles are along seldom used Forest Service Roads while the remaining segments are mostly unmaintained backcountry trails, other than a brief section that coincides with the Pacific Crest Trail. This trail cannot be hiked quickly; much of the trail has been unmaintained for decades, and expert skills in map and compass are required. This will definitely be a challenge for outdoor skills.
The Bigfoot Trail is a long distance hiking trail through the Klamath Mountains of northwest California and (briefly) southwest Oregon. The trail begins in the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness and ends near the Redwood National Park at the Pacific Ocean in Crescent City, CA. The major focus of the trail is conifer diversity, passing 32 species along 360 miles, passing through six wilderness areas and one national park.
Of the 360 miles, about 100 miles are along seldom used Forest Service Roads while the remaining segments are mostly unmaintained backcountry trails, other than a brief section that coincides with the Pacific Crest Trail. This trail cannot be hiked quickly; much of the trail has been unmaintained for decades, and expert skills in map and compass are required. This will definitely be a challenge for outdoor skills.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)