Date: 2008-05-31
From: Little Rock Pond Shelter, VT

To: Route 103, Rutland, VT
Miles today: 12.4

This is an entry that I have been putting off for a while. I am sitting at home in Cincinnati, disappointed, tired, bored. But let me tell you about the day.After a good early, mosquito infested morning, I was cruising. Downing miles and really zenning down the trail. Saw a couple really great views and the trail to white rock cliffs with a ton of rock sculptures. It really is a Blair Witch moment though, walking through dense dark forest, and coming upon these creations. One of the coolest things I've seen. But continued on and made a mid morning stop. Vented in the shelter register about hiking (even though it really was a good day) and filled up water. Up ahead was Mt. Killington, a three thousand foot climb that was going to be challenging with the frequent drizzle today. So I left Minerva shelter pumped and ready to take on this beast. About a mile later, I was walking down a slight slope of rock and had a little loss of traction. Mental note, be careful. Two minutes later, a trek pole launching, one foot straight up in the air crash and roll with a pop and instant pain. I grasped my left ankle, yelled for a while and then using the wet cold rock as an ice pack, I collected myself. My first thought as I was covered in debris on my back looking up at the cloudy sky, was that the black flies were going to eat me alive and I was going to have a slow painful death. But they never came. Next, my hike just changed drastically. Either I was going to need to take several days for healing in Rutland, or more sitting at home. I knew there was a serious problem.Called home, (talked to dad, not mom) and said I was heading to Rutland ER. Hobbled about a half mile down the rest of the hill and luckily crossed a major road. It happened so close to a main road, I was really fortunate (I guess) and it was a Saturday, so lots of people were using the trail parking lot. It only took a couple minutes and I got a lift to the hospital. Stumbled in, hung out for about 5 hours, dirty, smelly. The first time I even looked at my ankle or even took off my shoe, was when I was getting my x-ray taken. I didn't need to. So then the doc tells me it is a dream of hers to hike the trail, and she is sorry, broken tibia. I always knew my trip would end in the hospital, I just figured it would be after summiting Katahdin and as a student at OSU, not a patient in Rutland Vermont. So goes the life of a Thru-Hiker. I really hope I can heal this thing up and get back on and finish. If not this year, there will be a day I will finish that section. Remembering back to my first journal entry, this was what I feared most. Forced off due to injury. Mentally I still in pretty good shape, really excited about New Hampshire and getting to Maine. But injuries are not something that can be controlled. Just a couple more things for this entry. What I am most disappointed about right now: 1) Not being there with the guys who are continuing the trudge north, 2) not being able to run my timed mile to see how physically fit I am, 3) losing all the aerobic capacity and strength I have worked so hard for over the past 3 1/2 months as I sit in my cast. It is so important to me, since I am facing not finishing my hike, to make sure I don't forget what I learned from the trail. It would be so easy, to sit here and get right back into old habits, picking up right where I left off. I need to remember those thoughts I had, walking down the trail, and dreaming of life after hiking. So many things, even little things, that when I put them together, overhaul my life and well being. The no TV thing has to happen, it really does ruin social interaction and creative expression.More later...about the healing process, adjustment to suburban living, and possible return of Liquid to the AT, for a race against class starting, to finish, to glorious Mt. Katahdin.