#163 501 Shelter to Eagles Nest Shelter - Day 88 - MM1196.1 - MM1211.2
...the influence of the trail runs deep within the true hiker, we always find our way.
April 14, 2023 - Crossed over the 1200 Mile Mark Today
The sun shines through the bare trees and into the open door of the shelter. It was still uncomfortably warm inside last night from yesterday’s heat so the three of us agreed to leave the door open to help with ventilation.
Woobie hobbles across the floor. He reaches for the railing of my bunk before lunging towards the frame of the open door in what appears to be a drunken stupor. But it’s not, it’s the result of lactate acid buildup from hiking thirty mile days, dehydration, overexertion, lack of rest, and improper diet.
I remember experiencing it many times during my long distance running days - especially when training for our trail marathon. The burning sensation deep inside my leg muscles was very painful. The weakness in my legs rendered them almost useless. Sometimes it took days for me to recover. It’s the cost of doing the business - the business of pushing your body to the limits.
All hikers have a recognizable limp, but the elites have a unique hobble.
Woobie pauses at the door for a moment, like a child attempting a big walk across the floor to his parent for the first time, then eases himself into the morning light as if he’s not sure he can hold himself up without handrails.
I notice Faze is taking her time with the morning. I have the feeling this may be the last time we see one another. So it goes on the trail.
She and the caretaker sit on the small porch of the main house with the small puppy. I walk over to get my phone from the charging station.
Making last minute adjustments to my pack at the picnic table inside the shelter, Faze comes in through the front door with her trail map in hand.
Copter comes in from the side door moments later. The three of us are together again for about the dozenth time.
Sensing the end of my journey with Faze, I bid her a good hike, then reach across the table for a fist-bump.
Friends come and go out here, but some are harder to walk away from than others.
She sends a message the next day saying she hung out at the 501 Shelter most of today, and that she’s going to wait for Hippy Rocks catch up to her.
She and I trade a few messages from our phones for the next two weeks or so, but I never hear from her again after she crosses into New York State and heads home to New York City, followed by her trip to Europe a few days later.
Phase Three of the 2023 Hike Begins -
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