CDT Day 100 I’m exhausted or sick or both

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26th July

20.6 miles

Shadow Lake (1592.2) to Boulder Creek (1612.8)

The trail is wearing me down. Long days, usually 12-14 hours of hiking. I’m wasting away. My body is eating itself in an effort to keep moving north towards Canada. I think I need to spend less hours hiking everyday in an effort to allow my body to continue. All I want right now is a combination of  eating large healthy meals and a quiet room to rest. Tired does not even begin to describe how I feel right now.

Something is not right. I’m walking awfully slow and needing a long break every 40 minutes or so. I think I have a fever but it’s hard to tell when I feel my own face. I have many loose bowel movements as the day progresses. I’m not well.

Many scenarios run through my head. Giardia again? Maybe. Cryptosporidium? Maybe. Both those are waterborne diseases. Or is it worse. Has my old African friend Malaria returned. I hope it’s not Malaria.

I rest on the side of the trail around 4pm. Too tired to continue. I scoured my maps. I’m looking for water and exit routes off the trail. The nearest town is Pinedale. They have a medical centre. But the nearest trailhead that might afford a hitchhike is over 20 miles away.

There is no cell phone service. I run through every option. I decide it is best to camp next to the nearest water and rest for the night. I take some paracetamol to reduce the fever. I eat what I can and see how I feel in the morning. Though I have no appetite. Worse case scenario another hiker will eventually come along. But the glass half full part of me says I’ll be fine after a good nights sleep.

As for the trail today. There were trees, bushes, lakes, streams and mountains. It was quite a blur and I didn’t take many photos.

I need new shorts!

Next – Day 101 Sick on the Trail

Everything you need to know about hiking the CDT:
Complete Guide to Hiking the Continental Divide Trail
CDT Resupply Guide
CDT Gear List

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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 “CDT Day 100 I’m exhausted or sick or both”

  1. Hey Brad – sorry to hear that you aren’t well again. Hope you make it to that exit from the trail. Must be water borne disease of some sort. Good luck. I will wait expectantly for whatever solution you find.
    Phil

    Reply
  2. Hey there ,is this before or after the cirque? anyway u know how to take care and when u are sick then stop and rest so u can get to a town. Loose stools certainly r an indication of something going on. find out what as soon as u can. Walk slowly and forthright and get to town asap.

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