Mile 138.2, 15 trail miles 1 wandering mile
After hearing the first hiker walk by (benefits of sleeping almost on the trail) we started packing up to get an early start.
With only 15 miles we were motivated to arrive at Paradise Cafe and looked forward to a few days off which my achilles clearly wanted.
Every step after the first mile was potentially painful. My achilles would send shooting pains around my ankle at random times… I felt bad for my hiking partner who waited for me to stretch every mile or so in my vain attempts to ease my pain. With a few days off in my future I knew I just had to make it to the cafe!
Finally we arrived! And after a few beers, crocs, and food I felt a thousand times better. I am now telling my achilles to “get it together” every hour or so…
You tell it, Alan!!
Alan, you might want to reconsider other shoes. You may need something a bit more robust than trailers. My hiking partner last year tried trailers after he found his (light) boots a bit too heavy. One day and his Achilles was already hurting. So he took back his boots from his bouncing box, and left the trailers in a hiker box… I know it’s very difficult to recommend shoes, because it’s really to each person his/her own. I can only walk with light trailers when I day hike. As soon as I have a backpack, I put on my Merrells (the low Moab ones for instance, no need for heavy boots!).