balzaccom
Trail Wise!
Waiting for spring...
Posts: 4,540 
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Post by balzaccom on Jul 29, 2022 8:54:28 GMT -8
We just got back from a few days in the Sierra, and it wasn't all roses. We're recovered from a bout with COVID, more or less, but it turns out that hiking up to 10,000 feet may be more than we were ready for. We made it, but that's about it. McGee Creek, on the east side of the Sierra near Lake Crowley, lived up to its billing as a beautiful area. And we dodged the smoke of the Oak Fire thanks to some favorable winds and the fact that they started to make some real progress against the fire. But we were struggling on a hike that shouldn't have been that hard. And I managed to drop a Sawyer bladder full of water, which burst it open. That made for some interesting duct tape solutions before we could filter any water. And the skies opened up and poured on us. That was the first day, which included the longest two miles we've ever hiked. Other than that, it was a great trip. We did get some good photos... If you are interested, a link to the photos, and the whole trip report with the gory details, is here: www.backpackthesierra.com/post/shaken-by-a-shake-down |
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Post by trinity on Jul 29, 2022 12:06:51 GMT -8
Those are amazing photos. Sorry the trip didn't go better, but I certainly feel that you made the right decision to bail. This is supposed to be fun, right?
Last month I make a trip to the South San Juan Wilderness on southern CO, it was my first solo trip in about a year and a half. I planned a 5 or 6 day trip, which would have been a pretty easy undertaking a few years ago. But everything was hard. A lot of it was mental, not just from rustiness. I was strongly reminded of how difficult the past couple of years have been, and the psychological/emotional toll the pandemic has taken. I felt strangely unconfident about everything. Plus I was taking on unrealistic amounts of elevation gain through a maze of deadfall. When I was unable to find the trail to the lake where I was planning to spend night 3, I just decided to hike out, getting back to the trailhead just before dark on day 3. I spent the next couple of days car-camping in a USFS campground, which was just what the doctor ordered. I'm leaving for a trip out west tomorrow, and plan to go a lot easier on myself this time.
Anyways, that's a long way of saying that I really related to y'all's struggles, and on top of everything else, y'all were likely still physically affected by COVID. I hope your next trip goes better.
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balzaccom
Trail Wise!
Waiting for spring...
Posts: 4,540
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Post by balzaccom on Jul 29, 2022 12:29:34 GMT -8
What a great post, Trinity. I'm with you 100%. Sometimes all you can do is to do what you can do ..and enjoy it
Hope your trip is true pleasure.
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Post by hikinggods on Jul 29, 2022 18:17:57 GMT -8
I had a similar experience a couple of weeks ago, about 3 weeks after having Covid (though I didn't actually get sick, just a few sniffles and sneezes). We had expected to do a backpacking trip, but with the strong monsoon season going, decided to RV camp up by Leadville instead. Usually I am fine up to about 12,000 feet, but I felt like I had altitude sickness at only 10,000 feet and could barely drag myself up the trail on our dayhikes. Very weird. By the end of the week I was feeling a little more normal, but I was VERY glad that didn't happen while we were backpacking at 12,000 feet. It shook my confidence a little. My next backpacking trip is going to be more laid back until I am sure I am back to normal.
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zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,890
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Post by zeke on Aug 3, 2022 14:52:47 GMT -8
I feel every bit of each of your problems. Age is taking a toll on me. None of us are getting younger
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rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
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Post by rebeccad on Aug 3, 2022 21:13:47 GMT -8
I also found that COVID made it a little harder to get back up to speed even though I wasn’t very sick at all. Sometimes things just don’t work.
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Post by stevet on Sept 3, 2022 8:38:15 GMT -8
I’m about to take the test. Tested Covid positive a week ago Friday and head out over Bishop Pass next Saturday. Based on the experiences here I’ll pace myself and be prepared to make a plan B.
Ran today (first time in a week and a half) and felt okay. Just a bit slower than normal. Will keep working it the coming week and will see how it goes.
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Post by trinity on Sept 3, 2022 11:44:19 GMT -8
Sorry to hear about the COVID, hope you're fully recovered and able to take your trip. Have fun!
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