August 4, 2012 - Healthy Hiking Tips

Day 49
Ridge above Klamuth River, just outside Seiad Valley
Elev: 3300 ft
Miles: 4
Trip: 819

Skipping miles doesn't sit well with me, but since my dinner is sitting even less well right now, it was probably necessary to hitch forward 150 miles to Seiad Valley. Hiking did feel surprising great though, even up switchbacks in 95 degree heat. Still, my stomach (well...lower stomach really) feels the need to remind me that things are not back to normal - all is not forgiven. I do know that I will be treating all my water from now on, instead of relying on the questionable power of cold mountain springs to be giardia-free. Saving a little time by not treating just isn't worth this awful feeling - and a lot of lost time in the end.

Sitting around in the grass at Seiad Valley was so relaxing; talking with other hikers after five days of only one other person (one amazing person) was refreshing. But amidst all the laughs and blistered-feet stories I was surprised to see several hikers smoking. Andrew had told me he knew smokers on his other hikes, but I guess I didn't believe him. I though (naively, maybe) that thru-hikers were a special breed, apart from the masses, making health-conscious choices in their adventurous lives. I've had other bubbles burst on this trip (typing up journals in town is not quick and easy) so I wasn't totally disillusioned. We've been seeing thru-hikers smoking since Day 1 but this was the first time I'd felt surrounded by them. Of course their health is their business - as long as everyone takes care of their butts, or there will be a lot more wildfires on the trail.

(No pictures again...I blame giardia-induced indifference)

Shaggy says:

We took a long day off yesterday in the town of Yreka. Lauren visited the urgent care clinic and was reminded not to drink water without treating it. They also prescribed her a double dose of Flagyl, one for her, one for me. It worked out well.
   We also watched so many hours of Olympics and other television. We moved from the Econolodge to the Holiday Inn Express. Our stomachs seemed to improve throughout the day, and by dinner time we ate pizza. Not sure it was the best choice.
   This morning we did more lounging. Finally left by 11 am. I was worried that a hitch out of a non trail town would be tough. We received a ride in ten minutes. Two older gentlemen. We soon found out that our driver was the mayor of Yreka, a new first for me. They took us up ten miles where we needed to turn on to another highway. It was super hot there. We luckily got a ride in ten minutes from a girl who lives in Happy Camp, and she would travel through Saied Valley on the way home.
   She gave us a ride back to the trail, it was very nice.
   Being back at the trail feels weird. We are with a group of folks we have not met before and ones that got far ahead of us. We  are 160 miles north of where we were before we got sick. But its also a week later... We will most likely hike on tonight. Feels good, also weird to be here.