Date: 2010-04-23
From: Route 635 Stone Creek Valley

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."                           - King James Bible I woke up feeling good, ready to hit the trail again. I finished my packing, and Michael and Neville drove me and a couple of other hikers down to Pearisburg. I dropped the things I didn't need for this hike (like the sleeping bag I'll be sending home) at the Plaza Motel. They said they would hold the things until I hiked back into town.Then they drove me to where the Trail comes close to VA 635. A blue-blazed trail led me the short distance to the white blazes. I headed south.Soon after that I passed Pine Branch Shelter. I didn't stop in. There were some hikers there sitting around. At least one was still in his sleeping bag staring blearily out of the shelter. I called a greeting and kept on moving.On the way up to the ridge I tried to use some of the techniques I'd read about in the book on walking meditation. I relaxed my face into the Buddha-like half-smile recommended. I slowed my steps and counted through my breaths. I noted the rhododendron lining the trail and the stream that gurgled and splashed next to me, but didn't focus on them. I also tried to remember what Nelille told me after she had given me the massage - that my knees were externally rotated and that I should try to bring them back to center. (Indeed, after that I had noticed that when I walked down the stairs my feet were definitely turned out. That might be contributing to my knee problems. It was a lot to remember while I walked, but I wasn't in a hurry. The trail went up and up. I crossed the little stream and continued on. Patches of little irises and buttercups and other wildflowers provided color.   When I remembered to I focused on my breathing and taking my time.Before I knew it I was at the top. Was it the massage from a couple of days ago? The zero day yesterday? The walking meditation? Whatever it was I had come to the top of the ridge where it leveled out and I was still feeling good. Feeling strong. Maybe I was getting my trail legs at last.I paused at the sign for the Allegheny Trail and checked my map and drank some water. Alright! I was pleased with how well I'd done climbing up. I was ready to rock and roll along this ridge!Not 20 feet from the sign I stepped on a loose rock, rolled my right foot over onto its side, stumbled and then wiped out on the trail leaving skidmarks in the dried leaves and dirt. I moaned and groaned, grabbing my foot. I uttered a few choice words that I usually choose to exclude from my working vocabulary. I managed to unclip my sternum strap from where it was pressing on my throat and then lay there for a while pondering the situation. How bad was this and why did it have to happen *now* just when I was feeling like maybe I'd be able to do longer miles?I didn't want to take off my boot to look at my food because I didn't want to have to put the boot back on afterward. Finally I struggled to my feet. I had duct tape. Would I be able to fashion crutches with my trekking poles and -- something? I limped on v-e-r-y slowly.Over the next couple of hours I hobbled on over the rocks. (When had the trail maintainers put them in? I didn't remember them being here when I section hiked this stretch with my husband for our 25th wedding anniversary...) Every time I put my right foot down my ankle screamed at me. Great. The feet, the knees and now the ankle. What would be next?As the day wore on the ankle got a little better and I was able to pick up the pace from very slow to pretty slow. The forecast rain began, but it was just a light sprinkle - for now. I wondered if the possible thunderstorm would happen.I'd gotten a report that the water source at Symm's Meadow Campsite was not very nice, so I decided I would try for Rice Field Shelter instead of camping out. The possible storm was an added incentive for moving on.I loaded up with water at the spring a mile or two north of the shelter and moved on. A rumble of what sounded like thunder motivated me to move it. South of the Groundhog Trail junction the trail had smoothed out quite a bit which made it easier to walk. My speed increased from pretty slow to just slow.I climbed the broad, open field to see the shelter off to the side. The stile was too hard for me to climb with my pack on, so I took it off, hoisted it to the top platform, clambered over and then retrieved the pack. No one else was at the shelter.I started to settle in. At once the rain went from a sprinkle to a determined drizzle, but I didn't hear any more thunder. I treated the water I had hauled in from the spring and laid out my sleeping pad and bag. When the water was ready I took some more ibuprofen. I finally removed my boots and got a look at the damage. My foot and ankle were swollen and bruised. Tired, chilled, and discouraged I sought refuge in my sleeping bag and elevated my legs on my backpack. I fell asleep and only woke when Mouse Crusher, a section hiker, arrived at the shelter. I was glad I woke up so I could make dinner then and not after dark. After dinner I journalled a bit, but then turned in early. I was glad to be under a roof as the rain poured down, but I worried what the hike in the morning would be like.