Date: 2016-02-20
From: Rocky Gap, VA 601

To: VA 613, Mountain Lake Road
Miles today: 5.9

Everyone has days, or moments, in their lives they will never forget. Some good, like graduations, births, or weddings. And, unfortunately, some not so good. Today, for me, was one of those not so good days that no matter how much I would like to forget, I never ever will. I did not know it at the time, but today would was just the beginning, just the tip of the iceberg, of something which would changed my life forever. If I could be allowed just one do-over in my life, today and everything that unfolded after today, would be my one do-over.Today was my last day slackpacking with my husband. He would head back to Florida tomorrow so he could return to work. Our plan was for me to really rack up the miles these past 2 weeks, but the weather did not cooperate and I fell far short of my goal. I would have to hit the trail really hard to finish the AT by 3/19/16 to achieve that coveted "thru hiker" status - but it was still doable.Once again we headed to Rocky Gap. The sun was out, the air was warmer, and some of the snow melted. The plan was for me to hike about 11 miles to the Bridge Over Stony Creek, VA 635, where I started the short segment I completed yesterday. We assumed the road crossing at 5.9 miles was still inaccessible due to the snow, and I did not want to leave any gaps in the trail. I am not a Yellow Blazer.I could tell Rod was a little nervous when he left me. He even stayed at the trailhead for a while just in case I turned back, but I kept going. I was looking forward, after 3 attempts, to finally completing this section of the AT.Mine were the only boot tracks in the snow, which was heavy and wet with a few inches of wet slush underneath. I was wearing micro spikes. I had my extra emergency gear in my pack. And I was wearing Gortex socks to keep my feet warm and dry. I thought I had all the bases covered.There were lots of animal tracks - deer, coyote, and bobcat. I had the woods to myself and I enjoyed every moment.When I reached VA 632 I noticed 3 parked vehicles along with large fresh trail shoe type tracks and dog tracks in the snow. Someone, likely a man, was headed in the same direction with a dog, and they were breaking trail for me! His stride was longer than mine, so I could not walk in his exact tracks, but it still helped.2.8 miles in I stopped briefly at the War Spur shelter to take a break and collect trash to carry out. I was wet with sweat, so I did not linger.The AT was headed up, out of a gap, and up to a ridge. As the elevation increased, so did the snow depth. Fortunately the trail was easy with lots of switchbacks. After a while I ran into my trail breaker and his dog. He was a trail runner, dressed in SHORTS and a thin long sleeved top. We spoke briefly, neither of us wanted to linger and get chilled. He had run as far as Wind Rock before turning around. He warned me that the snow was significantly deeper up on the ridge and especially at Wind Rock. He also warned me that the trail was not well marked up on the ridge. I saw no one else on the trail the rest of the day.I noticed that I was stopping frequently to catch my breath, and my heart seemed to be pounding extra hard today. It was not due to the trail, which had very gentle switchbacks. I just chalked it up to the snow and my apprehension about finally hiking this stretch of trail after so many failed attempts. I was also concerned about hiking in the snow without my husband to slackpack me after today.I also noticed that my feet were wet. Either the Gotex socks could not compete with the slush, or my feet were sweating from working so hard to push through the snow. Although my wool socks kept my feet warm while I was moving, I quickly became chilled whenever I stopped to catch my breath.Despite my best efforts, I realized my pace was very slow. To avoid getting chilled I did not want to stop to eat, so I nibbled on a snack and drank a 5 Hour Energy as I pushed on. I had to keep moving. I was going to run out of daylight and Rod would be worried.About an hour later I started to have heartburn. Despite the 5 Hour Energy I felt absolutely exhausted. It became clear that something was wrong, I just could not figure out what it was or how to fix it. Resorting to my Wilderness First Responder training, I started to trouble shoot in my head as I hiked. My symptoms made no sense. When I got off the trail at the end of November I was a mean lean hiking machine. I felt great. I had a complete physical. I had blood tests. With a few minor exceptions which my doctor thought could wait until I finished the trail, I was in tip top shape for a woman my age.I did not want to put myself in a position of needing to be rescued, or worry my husband. I found a spot where I had weak cell service and texted Rod that IF he thought he could get Maggie to the road crossing at VA 613 I would like to be picked up there. Otherwise, I would go on to VA 635, but not to expect me before dark.As I continued, I began to notice pain, in the center of my chest, underneath my sternum and at my left clavicle. My need to stop and catch my breath increased, my heart was racing, and my pace slowed even more. Rod texted back that he would try to meet me at the upcoming road crossing.At Lone Pine Peak I finally made it to the ridge. Thankfully the snow was not as deep as I had imagined. But I was definitely struggling.   To make matters worse, the blazes here were far and few between. I frequently had to stop and search for the next blaze. It was clear from his tracks in the snow that the runner had also struggled to find the blazes, at times backtracking to stay on the AT. And I had limited daylight left. I became concerned that I could lose the trail and become lost.I stopped more frequently to make sure I found the blazes and stayed on the trail. And I hoped that Rod and Maggie would be at the road crossing.   I did not think I could do another 5.2 miles, especially in the dark with a poorly marked trail.When I reached Wind Rock I knew I was close to the road crossing. There were several fresh tracks in the snow from day hikers who had driven to the road crossing and hiked a short distance to enjoy the view from the overlook. If others could get a vehicle in hopefully Rod and Maggie would be waiting for me at the road crossing just a few tenths of a mile further up the trail.As the runner warned me, the snow was considerably deeper here. I unexpectedly sunk in to my mid thigh and had to use my hiking sticks to pull and crawl myself out. In most other places I sunk in to my knees. The chest pain increased and was now running through my left clavicle and down my left arm. I also struggled to catch my breath. I was not sure what I was going to do if Rod and Maggie were not at the road crossing. I certainly could not keep posthing up to my knees. I would probably have to walk down the gravel road, about 5 miles, to a paved road.I got off the trail and hiked under the trees, where the snow was not as deep. The day hikers had done the same and I was able to follow their tracks to the road crossing.I almost cried when I saw Rod and Maggie waiting for me. Rod looked at me and immediately knew something was seriously wrong. He started searching the GPS for the nearest hospital. I sat in the car and stripped off my wet boots and socks as I tried to catch my breath.I did a quick assessment. Eventually my breathing was back to normal. I took some Tums, which helped with the heartburn (most likely from,the 5 Hour Energy), but I still had the chest and arm pain, and my heart was still racing. As we drove to town I continued to monitor my vitals. Rod had gotten us a room in Pearisburg, VA. I really wanted to take a hot shower and put on some dry clothes before I decided what to do. If I ended up going to the hospital, I wanted to be warm and dry while I waited to be seen, and most likely referred to a larger medical facility.My breathing remained normal and my resting heart rate was consistently 100 - not great, but in the normal range. I wanted to get something to eat. On the way we drove past the hospital and noted its location. We ate dinner and I continued to monitor my vital signs. There was no change.Under the circumstances I did not think I needed to go to the hospital. But I also knew I could not continue on the AT without getting checked out by a doctor. So I reluctantly agreed to ride back to Florida with my husband so I could see my primary care physican and figure out exactly what was going on.My money was on a heart blockage. I expected to have a stint put in, and planned to return to the AT in about a month. Of course, when I made the decision to go home I realized that I would not finish the AT by 3/19/16. For me, it was a very long sad ride home to Florida. Unfortunately I had absolutely no idea what awaited me over the next few months or how the events of this day would unfold to forever change not only my entire life, but almost everything I love most about my life, along with all of my plans for the future. I would be totally blindsided by something unexpected, something I dreaded and thought I had successfully prevented, and something that I may never be able to fully accept.The AT is calling. Over the following weeks and months I would dream of being on the AT. And I would hope that my finishing the AT is more than just a dream.