this post was submitted on 22 Jun 2024
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Had to quit my thru hike :/ (hexbear.net)
submitted 4 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
17 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

I made it 546 kilometres in 19 days, with ~350 left to go. Idk if my water filter failed or there was a hygiene slipup, but I woke up Thursday feeling super fatigued and that quickly slipped into beaver fever symptoms (or some kind of infection/parasite).

Now I've spent the last few days recovering on the couch and picking up reading again. Still feels like a big achievement, but I had a bit of a short time window to finish the trail. Now I'll probably be too busy for the rest of the warmer season and have to wait until next year. sadness

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[–] [email protected] 20 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Sucks, but also still an absolutely amazing achievement. As a hiker those numbers are huge huge daily milage for such a long time. And to think it was one small mistake or an equipment malfunction that stopped you rather than your body or spirit giving up speaks volumes. I hope you get another crack at it next year.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I probably planned it a bit too ambitious in retrospect. I'm a very experienced adventurer and camper with some long canoe and cycling trips under my belt, so I'm well used to keeping up spirit and mental resilience in tough conditions, but never done a hike longer than a few days.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago

Hopefully you learned some lessons then for next time!

[–] [email protected] 16 points 4 months ago (1 children)

When I moved here I looked at one particular mountain daily for three years before attempting it. The first time I went up I turned back right beneath the summit due to dehydration. Getting down safe meant being able to do it again with a better sense of what I need to do it better. Turning back is always the right move where safety is concerned. Nature can't be taken for granted when a medical evacuation is hours if not days away.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 4 months ago

Absolutely not! I'm lucky that the trail wasn't actually backcountry for most of it, and I had an emergency sat phone, first aid kit, etc. with me, but I have seen some shit go down in the woods and know when to be careful.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 4 months ago

I'm glad you listened to your body and hope your recovery goes smooth meow-hug

[–] [email protected] 15 points 4 months ago (1 children)

comrade giardia got you posting again

[–] [email protected] 14 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I hope your beaver gets better.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 4 months ago

Thanks for keeping my beaver in your thoughts ❤️

[–] [email protected] 12 points 4 months ago

I'm honestly so impressed with how much you hiked. Sucks you got sick but you sound like a badass

[–] [email protected] 10 points 4 months ago

damn that's still hardcore.

i just do dayhikes and overnight backpacking and now it's too hot so i'm going to be antsy until fall. unless i can make the drive to the mountain

[–] [email protected] 9 points 4 months ago

You got so far, you’ll definitely make it through next year

[–] [email protected] 8 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Congrats for getting as far, and as fast, as you did.

Is that sort of pace now forced upon you by climate change, or is it possible to start earlier and get north enough before it gets too hot? Say in 2 years.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago

The pace was forced on me by the rest of my summer and fall being busy af, as well as difficult logistics on spots to stay (the trail I was doing has few official camping spots and they are far between). If I dedicate more time to it next year I could go quite a bit slower but I'll just miss out on all the other shit I wanna do in life, especially in the warm weather.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 4 months ago

That's really impressive, good that you made it out okay!

[–] [email protected] 7 points 4 months ago

Honestly, still kinda badass.