Date: 2004-05-22
From: Bobblet Gap Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: few clouds

My feet were still sore this morning. I was debating in my mind whether to go to the nearer of the two possible sites to stop at tonight when events made the decision for me.Three miles into today's hike I was going at a brisk but not reckless pace on a straight smooth downhill stretch when I suddenly felt a sharp pain knife through my right knee. The leg buckled and I went crashing to the ground. After 735 miles of every sort of terrain imaginable with hardly a twinge, my loose knee cartilage had chosen this moment to shift out of place. It had happened dozens of times since high school but never before while backpacking.I struggled free of my pack and sat up to assess the damage. Everything in the joint had snapped back into place once I had fallen and the weight was off it, and nothing seemed to have been hurt too badly this time. After waiting for the pain to subside I gingerly got back to my feet and carefully hoisted my pack into place then cautiously started walking. The ligaments and muscles may have been stretched enough to let the cartilage pop out more easily so I had to be careful.Within a few minutes I reached the road crossing at Bearwallow Gap. A Trail Angel had left sodas and snacks. Gratefully I sat down with some peanut butter crackers and soda and took out my map and guidebook pages to take stock. Weeks of hiking had convinced me that my knee would not cause trouble and now that sense of security had been badly shaken. I decided to try for Bryant Ridge Shelter and then play it by ear. After yesterday's high mileage I could aford a shorter day. A rest would be good for my feet as well as my injured knee. When I got to the James River I would decide whether to get off there and go to Glasgow or go all the way to Highway 60 as I had planned.I did the three miles to Cove Mountain shelter, where I had some food and made a note in the register about my knee so others would know I was having a problem. Then I headed on to Jenkins Creek. Things went well until the descent to the Creek made the knee tender from the strain. But it was worth it. At the VA 614 bridge was a popular swimming spot in the creek. I popped off my shoes and socks, sat on a rock and put both legs into the soothingly cold water. After that I filtered enough water to make a pint of milk and had that and a 7 oz pack of tuna.All that improved things enough that I found myself catching up with and passing a group of boyscouts headed for the same shelter. I had to remind myself to take it easy.The shelter is one of the largest on the AT and I found it very fancy with covered decks and a loft with balcony. I could imagine the scouts taking to it like a jungle gym when they arrived and the shelter register entries warned of lots of mosquitoes and tiny biting flies called no-see-ums. But there was no quiet spot where I could put my tent. So I filtered a supply of water for the night and started up the trail again hoping for a private flat spot where I could nurse my hurts in peace.I went up past a pretty waterfall and within half a mile came upon a trail junction with a small campsite. Perfect! By 4:00 p.m. I was in my tent relaxing. My decision to stop had worked out; neither feet nor knee were more than a little sore. In the privacy of my tent I could remove my sweaty clothing and give my body some air to keep the chafing at bay. A nice cool breeze would have been nice, but you can't have everything, at least not when you want it. Around 5:30 thunder started rumbling in the distance, the first in an unusually calm day. It was feeling uncomfortably hot an muggy with no breeze. I almost hope for rain to cool things down.Hwy 60 is just over 45 miles away. Despite the mishap I am still on schedule and can still make it on time if things go well.