I’m so excited! – The walk

It’s been almost a year since my catastrophe at the CDT. After my rescue, I was in a wheelchair and using a walker for the rest of the summer. 12 full weeks after my fall, I was finally able to walk again! It was probably the longest, most frustrating summer of my life. But I worked hard, I made so much progress in my recovery last summer, that I’m now planning my summer hikes for this year.

Catch up on progress

After my last position in August, I continued going to PT until the end of the year. I was able to walk with my son to his football team’s senior night, limping but without any assistive devices as we crossed the field! Little by little, my flexibility and hip mobility improved and I was able to do a happy baby yoga pose in addition to child’s pose. Shortly after achieving those movements, I was able to cross my left leg over my right knee to put on my shoes and socks. Great goal!

I still used my handicap placard when I had to park in large lots or had to walk a long way to a spot, but I used my walker less frequently as the season progressed. My improvements seemed incremental for the rest of last year, but each month when PT did an evaluation, we celebrated the gains that seemed obvious in retrospect.

My first fairly long walk was a mile along a local rail trail in late September.

I also gradually started walking longer distances without assistance. The first milestone was…just a mile. Then several kilometers at a time. Throughout the fall, my limp remained pronounced, especially after a few miles. But the pain subsided and a few months later, the limp was mostly gone. The physical therapist told me that I would probably regain full range of motion, but that I would probably always have some pain in that hip. I thought that hikers always live with pain on the trail, what is a constant little pain in daily life? I am so grateful for the results that I am not going to complain about hip pain.

Back on the road

The hike with my husband was very steep! I was very worried that I would fall.

My first post-disaster walk was in November. I went to a state park that I knew had wide, well-maintained trails with few obstacles. At one point, a fallen tree crossed the road. Surprise! I have never found them in this park! However, I was very proud of being able to climb the hip-high log without any problems. Oh what joy!! My hip hurt a little that night, but icing it before going to bed helped. The next day I walked again with my husband. That trail was also on state land, but had more challenging terrain, including rocky sections and steep inclines. I’m babysitting my new granddaughter for a few months and we go for a walk every nice day, at least an hour at a time. I try to go for walks in the afternoons and also on weekends.

And now I’m getting ready for my summer hikes! I took a month off after finishing PT and then spent the next 2 months working with a trainer to build strength and balance for the trail. Some of those exercises really showed the differences between my healthy hip and my injured hip. As a side note, those same exercises improved my mobility to care for my young granddaughter. A lot of times I’ll pick her up or carry her up the stairs or something and think, «Wow! This is the same move we were working on in the gym.» Even though I’m not in the gym, I’m still working those same muscle groups.

I love my new Durston store! The FLT was the first time I took it into camp with a fairly full pack.

Walk Adjacent Updates

Off the trail, I joined the Board of Directors of THROUGH-ra non-profit hiking community. I am the secretary and my duties keep me busy and engaged in the hiking community. I also host Zoom meetings about once a month on their behalf.

In early February, I met up with the rest of the THRU-r board for a retreat in Florida. We hiked some sections of the Florida Trail and camped one night. This was the first time I went out with my backpack full. Some of our longer walks were exhausting, but I managed with the occasional vitamin I.

I love that the scar goes through the original tattoo.

Updated tattoo

Once my ortho cleared it up for me, I updated my CDT tattoo. Of course, I added the paltry 162 miles I completed in New Mexico before my fall. It did add some fun to the rest though! The bones have hardware included (8 screws and 2 plates) and are based on my actual x-rays. Showing it off is hilarious, along with my fancy new scar. I feel really bad now!

A nice little waterfall in a state park on one of my evening walks.

summer hiking

I will return to CDT at the end of June. Yes, I’m a glutton for punishment, but I have too many miles left on that road to say I’ve traveled it. This year I will finish the Colorado section and then head to The Bob to join the CDTC maintenance team. I already bought my plane tickets. I have been walking and walking more each week, taking great care to gradually increase the distance and time. I have planned my weekly trail mileage conservatively for the first two weeks as I will still be acclimating to the elevation.

Then I’ll come home for a few weeks and help my son get settled into his new apartment when he moves out. I will comfort my empty nest heart with a trip to England and Scotland. In England I will visit my daughter and her husband. Then, a few days later, I’ll head to Glasgow to walk the West Highland Way, immediately followed by the Hebridean Way. A few more days with my daughter before we fly home and that’s the season!

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