29th May
26.8 miles
Bushcamp (750.4) to Marble Spring (777.2)
Sunrise is around 6am nowadays. I was awake and moving before the sun was. It was overcast when I started hiking but it wasn’t long till I saw flashes of sunlight which remained for much of the morning.
I camped alone last night and didn’t see too many hikers on trail. Either I’m getting ahead of the last bubble of hikers or everyone is now hiking faster and longer miles everyday. I suspect it’s a combination of both. The crowd is thinning.
There were several nice viewpoints today as the trail climbed several thousand feet to follow the rocky ridges. Below was the farmland and rolling hills. Sometimes I wish there were more scenic viewpoints. Hikers on the Appalachian Trail must earn their views. I hiked through another well known landmark today. It’s called The Guillotine. The trail funnelled through a narrow shute with a large boulder balancing above.
As the day progressed it looked like I was going to get more rain, fortunately it remained dry. With a couple of hours of hikable daylight left I decided to make camp early. I’d covered a lot of miles and didn’t feel like pushing any further. Recently, my left knee has been giving me some minor twinges late in the day. Only when hiking up steep hills. I’m sure it’s nothing, maybe I’m just getting old.
Next : Day 45 – My First 30 Plus Mile Day
All the best information on the Appalachian Trail:
Complete Guide to the Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail Gear List
Appalachian Trail Gear Review
Get a brace for your knees. It’s not age, it’s the AT. Its hard on the joints and i have to wear a brace on my knee when I hike it. Preventative care is always better than time off trail to heal. Loving your journey, Quintana Roo was awesome and added future ideas to our travels. Thank you and Happy Trails!
The AT is certainly hard on the body. I think my knee had a slight twinge and is much better after several days. Definitely get down to Mexico if you get a chance, a great place to travel.
I do not normally read the comments so I apologize if has shown up before but I found your picture on Crazy Larry Riddles fb page from May 13th. https://www.facebook.com/groups/337435516359100/permalink/951930011576311/
Thank you for the updates. There are a ton of bloggers on the AT and you are the only one I read everyone of. Good hiking, Paul
Cheers Paul, I stayed at Crazy Larrys hostel at Damascus. He asked for our photo to put on his Facebook page. Nice place. Cheers
You are not old, don’t say that. Lol. Rest your knee if your psyche allows. Last February in Arizona I ignored knee pain for 100 miles and frayed my miniscus? And strained supporting ligaments and muscles. Physical Therapist told me most knee pain is from weak glutes, so focusing on the buttocks working is supposed to help. Lots online about it. Hope this is helpful. Just ignore me if not. ✌️
I had miniscus surgery many years ago, it is not that. This is different, it could even be related to a fall I took a couple of days ago. I landed in my knee and hip.
I’m not sure about old but there is always older until……………………
Well, I keep having anniversaries of my 21st birthday. Many of them.
Hope the knee behaves.
Yes, me too