Date: 2012-07-13
From: Glencliff Hiker Hostel

To: Liberty Spring Tentsite
Miles today: 2.7

2012/7/13 2.7 plus 1Liberty spring campsite, tentI'm not very superstitious but I must admit that Friday the 13th isn't working out very well for me. I slept poorly for no obvious reason. I woke up early and got packed up just fine, and breakfast went well. Afterward I said sad goodbyes to Cool Breeze, Petie, and Haystack. I started up the trail, looking forward to seeing Franconia Ridge. Immediately I realized that I needed a potty break pronto, so I backtracked to a privy conveniently located at my dropoff spot. Then it was up the trail again. It soon became quite steep. I noticed that my left quadricep and knee were painful. They had spoken up very early in yesterday's hike, and I had babied them all day. Apparently that was insufficient. Today they spoke up with every step I took with my left leg. I used my other three limbs as much as possible to relieve the strain. I think I have a mild muscle pull about halfway up the big muscle. I think the tightness is pulling on my knee a little, making it hurt as I'd hyperextended it every time I straighten the leg and put weight on it. It doesn't seem to mind going downhill, just uphill. So, I chugged very slowly up the hill. I ran out of water, got another liter at the next opportunity, and then ran out again. It's kinda hot out. When I finally got to Liberty Spring, I tanked up on clear, delicious water. The spring is piped out of a rock, and I'm trying to conserve my steripen batteries because I've been unable to find more. So I drank the water straight. It was *delicious*. I sat near the spring drinking and snacking. It had taken me nearly five hours to go less than four miles. My leg hurt. My pack was heavy with food, and would need to be fully loaded with water to continue in this heat and at my slow pace. I decided, extremely grudgingly, to camp at the nearby tentsite. The shelter I had intended to head for was over seven miles away, and I didn't think I'd make it before dark. I know the smart thing to do is rest and heal, but I sure don't like it. I want to be out there hiking! But there is a very good chance that not resting will make it worse. Heck, even with rest it might not get better right away. There's a good chance that this year's section hike could be over.Sigh. As it turns out, plenty of people had already stopped for the day. I got one of the few remaining tent platforms.  I have no idea what happens if you show up and all the platforms are taken.  Do you have to hike back down the mountain and find a motel? Is there somewhere to stealth camp? I'm happy not to have to find out the answer. A hiker I met at Hexacuba shelter, Queen, is here. They either cut their mileage or took a day off, because she and Dotcom should be well ahead of me, even with my skipped mileage between Kinsman and Franconia notches.  I'm happy to see them though. Maybe we can eat dinner together. So I'm in my tent resting. I put liniment on my leg. I'll add arnica cream later. And Advil. And d-ribose.  I'm taking the opportunity to organize my pack a little. I had four dollars and six cents in change in my fanny pack! If the fee collector ever shows up I'll pay half of my tentsite fee in coins. I managed to rip the screen on the tent again, hefting my backpack in to the tent. Yet another minty dental floss repair now graces the tent. So, all in all, not a banner day. I'm ungraciously doing the smart thing. I hope it suffices.