Date: 2010-07-07
From: 501 Shelter

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 24.4
Weather: scattered clouds

How do I express about today?? I honestly think today I came dangerously close to a deadly situation. I like to joke and have fun with sarcasm but today I realized the seriousness of this beloved trail. Heat can kill you...Scatters, Tattoo, Stucco, and I left the 501 Shelter at 650am with the intentions of getting most of the miles done before the heat was really a problem. We were warned that there would be little to no water for the next 24 or so miles so we loaded up. However, I didn't sleep well, my food was not in good order (meaning I didn't have the proper nutrition for the amount of calories I was about to burn) and I just had this weird "uh oh" feeling about today.After several rest breaks I slowly became more and more dehydrated. My intentions were to get water at the Eagle's Nest Shelter which was at mile 15. I wasn't eating properly because I felt nauscious and I just felt very tired. When we arrived at the Eagle's Nest Shelter we found a tiny mud puddle that we had to filter out of. The four of us filtered our water but I didn't get a chance to drink much at the shelter (the puddle was pretty much dry). I was not in good shape. I told the guys but I kind of made it seem not so serious. They were concerned but what could we do?On top of the dehydration I was suffering mad foot blisters. Unbearable to walk in which was slowing me down. The Pennsylvania rocks are very hard to navigate. After we left the Eagle's Nest Shelter I slowly drifted behind everyone. I had no idea how far I was behind everyone but I knew I was not in good shape. After a few miles I could not take the pain in my feet anymore. I switched from my trail runners to my crocs. Oh what a difference. They don't have the foot support of a trail runner but they were a lot easier on my feet. Instead of every step hurting only every 3 steps hurt. That makes a difference.With 2 miles to go before our destination of Port Clinton, PA, I drank my last drop. Guys, in all seriousness, I was scared. 100 degree weather is scary. It was getting dark and I knew there weren't any hikers behind me. All I could do was walk at my very slow pace. I could feel the sickness of dehydration creep up on me ever so slowly. I was getting nauscious and overly tired. All I could do was pray to God while I walked. I wasn't sure if I was going to faint. I wanted to soooo bad but I knew if I stopped and rested I would be in a serious situation that might turn deadly. I know this sounds dramatic but I've had dehydration before and I know the symptoms. Also, if you read one of my blogs from the Shenandoahs you read that I watched Mike (Stucco's friend) faint and have to go to the hospital for dehydration. Anyways, if you read my journal all the time you know I have an unwavering faith in God that I will be taken care of no matter what happens. So, like I said earlier, I prayed a lot and just thanked God that I could even be out on the mountain and also that he watch over me no matter what happens. I guess some of my scaredness went away after that because I felt reassured.Finally, I reached the half mile descent into Port Clinton. This was rediculous. No thru hiker should have to descend like this. It was so steep I think it is almost too dangerous. Anyways, I had to do it even though I was sick and in my Crocs. I literally stumbled down a mountain and into the outskirts of Port Clinton. I've got to admit....and I'm a man so don't think otherwise but I was in such bad shape that I almost lost it. My knees were shaking, I was disoriented, and I was not mentally able to handle what I just went through. I just walked 24 miles in the blazing sun with very little water and food. I had literally walked 2.5 miles with no water. I wept. Yup, I wept. I wasn't sure if I should have called 9-1-1 but I knew I was in bad shape.I literally stumbled down the main street until I came across a couple that was watering their yard. I weakly (almost like out of a movie) barely murmored my need for water as I bent over my hiking poles. They gave me 5 bottles of water. I drank 2 right there on the spot but I knew that flooding my system with water was not a healthy thing. I thanked them but in my weakened state I don't think I could convey how truly thankful I was for their kindness. I continued down the street where Stucco and Scatters were coming out of a building with a bag of hamburgers and chips etc for all of us. They knew something was wrong as we walked down the street to the Pavilion (a place that the citizens of Port Clinton has for hikers to camp). They were genuinely concerned and took awesome care of me. We got to the camp and all I could do was sit at the picnic table with my head in my hands. I was quickly given some Gatorade powder and I drank a lot of fluids. One of the neighbors (a nurse) found out about my condition and came over to check on me. I felt pretty nauscious the entire night but I made it through ok.So there you have it, the story of July 7th, 2010 which will be forever something I remember. I am so very thankful that I am safe and that I have a strong faith in God that saw me through this dangerous situation.Forever faithful in Him!