When A Good Plan Goes Awry

With all the detailed planning, map studying, guidebook referencing, equipment checking, physical prepping sometimes things still go awry. An experienced backpacker can and will overcome a lot of things on the trail…equipment becomes damaged or breaks, an experienced backpacker can make a repair or improvise, clothing may become torn, an experienced backpacker will not let it become a problem, a resupply box may not arrive at its planned destination an experienced backpacker will find supplies in town to get his or herself to the next resupply location, maps and trail data for the next section may be in the “lost” resupply box, an experienced backpacker will gather data needed from other backpackers. An experienced backpacker will over come and continue despite all the aggravating details that may cause the less experienced hiker to get off the trail.  

I had planned an Appalachian Trail (AT) section hike for months; all was as ready as I could make it…I departed for Massachusetts. MA is rather flat compared to other states the AT passes through. With its long stretches of woodlands and ponds MA passed quickly. For this hike I decided to use a hammock believing a hammock would allow more opportunity for camping while keeping me off the wet and uneven ground…and it did.

I stealth camped for the first few of nights in MA until I reached Upper Goose Pond. UGP is a favorite beauty spot among AT backpackers, swimming in the pond, paddling the canoe, camping near the cabin and pancakes for breakfast. It was as good as all I have heard and it was nice to be among other long distance backpackers swapping stories and spinning tales. All was good…until I hit the ground during a warm summer nights sleep, fortunately the ground was soft and I had hung my hammock low. Nevertheless I hit the ground with a loud thud in the early morning hour attracting the attention of other backpackers packing up for an early start to their day. Something broke and I was on the ground trying to find my way out of my hammock. I was unharmed and laughed at my predicament as I gathered my gear before hitting the trail.

I would need to improvise a shelter…from this point on my hammock would be a ground bivy…and a good one…all was good again.

For the next 105 miles the AT and the Long Trail (LT) run concurrent, the trail is heavily traveled this time of year by both AT and LT backpackers…I would gather trail data from them, making notes of reliable water sources, points of interest, distances between shelters, elevation gain/loss, problematic spots etc…all was good again.

The AT/LT in Vermont and its granite sections are very hard on trekking pole tips of the high tech kind and those of old school as well. In VT the descents are steep and small car sized boulders are used to “aid” in these descents. This type of decent began to take its toll on my trekking poles and my knee along with the many miles ahead. I slowed my pace, took more frequent breaks and hiked shorter miles. I’ve never had knee pain and no matter what I tried each day delivered increasing pain…all was not good…the decision was made to not continue and risk more serious injury, but to end this hike and return home.As I made my way through the airports I realized what a great trip I had experienced, the beauty of nature and all its offerings had surrounded me even if only for 12-days. I believe myself to be an experienced backpacker, one who can think on my feet and solve problems as they occur, one who has dealt with physical pain on the trail before and one who knows when to stop when necessary. The AT will be there next year and I will return to Vermont…all will be good again.My hammock will go back to R&D to figure out what the problem is, the missing resupply box is still MIA, the trekking pole is now retired, my skirt will wear the hole as a badge, my pride is a little hurt, but will recover, the disappointment of not completing this section hike will pass and my knee will heal.

Trip photos to follow