AT Day 117 – Sunrise over the lakes

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10th August 

18.3 miles 

Little Swift River Pond (1964.6) to Bushcamp (1982.9) 

It was 5.30am when I woke to my flat air mattress. I set about fixing a large breakfast before taking my mattress to the nearby lake to find some bubbles. Turned out the leak was from an old hole I repaired in Mexico while cycling earlier in the year. An easy fix, I hope.

The cut on my foot is still causing me pain, but I finally start hiking around 8am. Luckily, for my foot, the first couple of miles were easy downhill. At the highway several other hikers were trying to hitchhike into the town of Rangely. I still had enough food to get me to the next town, but events later in the day had me wishing I was in town right now.

The trail climbed several high alpine mountains, Saddleback Mountain, The Horn and Saddleback Junior. Distant views in all directions of large mountains and larger lakes. Also views of the approaching storm. From the summit of Saddleback mountain I judged or should say guessed the the storm was going to miss me. I waited and watched its movement and with great satisfaction I watched the rain storm miss me by less than a mile. In fact if I’d kept on hiking I would have been drenched. Pure luck and a great view.

Three more storms came and went as I crossed the several miles of alpine area between the mountains. I stayed dry but the trail was wet and slippery which made for slow hiking.

By late afternoon my foot started to hurt. Not a normal kind of pain, more of a throbbing. I think the deep cut is getting infected. I thought about stopping at a shelter but a school group of teenage girls had over run the place. I continued several more miles to a flat spot near a peaceful sounding creek.

I cleaned up my feet as best I could and covered my cut callous with antibiotic cream. After setting up my tent and cooking dinner I walked to the stream to fill up my water. I was unable to put any pressure on my foot, the pain was too intense. As it is now throbbing and painful to touch I’m hoping I can walk tomorrow. 


Next : Day 118-119 – Into the town of Stratton

All the best information on the Appalachian Trail:
Complete Guide to the Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail Gear List
Appalachian Trail Gear Review

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About the Author:
Brad is an Australian who has completed the hiking Triple Crown after he hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail and Appalachian Trail. He has hiked on every continent (except Antarctica) and has cycled from Alaska to Ecuador. He is an expert on outdoor gear currently living in Chile.

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6 thoughts on “AT Day 117 – Sunrise over the lakes”

  1. how did you cut your foot? I missed reading about that in your postings. Healing thoughts….. get to town and get some care.

    Reply

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