Day 51-53 (Ian) Shin Splints to Kennedy Meadows South

The next morning was June 23 (Day 51). I had only made it four more miles after separating with Gaelen at Spanish Needle Creek (mile 669) the day before. I woke up late, lonely, in pain, with no prospects of good distance that day, and an impending dread of continual injury. It was the toughest moment for me since the first few days out of Campo when I thought I had really gotten myself in over my head athletically. I may have cried a little, but then a mantra came to me that made all the diffence: The Adventure Continues. Nothing was over yet, nothing was finished. This was just a new obstacle to overcome on the journey to Canada. Up to this point I had mostly focused on building up my body: muscle strength, cardio endurance, digestive efficiency, joint alignment (a big struggle with my scoliosis), etc. But starting from here I began to have time and energy to devote to my mental growth. I gained a new resiliency that morning.

Researching how to cure shin splints revealed R.I.C.E. was the number one therapy. So I knew I would need to take at least three days "tent rest" in Kennedy Meadows South, probably more. That would be OK though, as lots of hikers take copious days off there. As the gateway into the Sierras, it is a gathering place for those waiting for the right conditions, the right gear, or the right friends to begin their mountainous adventures. Calf compression sleeves were also recommended, so instead of using mine for recovery while I slept, I began wearing them while hiking. I also learned how to tape my shin to help relieve the pressure on my tibia. Shin splints are so painful because the swelling pushes against the bone. The swelling could be from the tendon that runs down the shin into the foot or muscular. The latter can take weeks to heal, so I hoped it was the former (it felt like that was the case).

Next I researched the causes of shin splints. Overstriding is a major risk factor. So trying to keep up with Gaelen the last two weeks was probably to blame. But walking downhill with a heel strike can also aggravate shin splints, and that was exactly what I'd been doing since my shoes started falling apart about 400 miles back. So the solution seemed simple: walk my own pace, return to a midfoot landing, and buy new shoes! But only after all the R.I.C.E. took the swelling and pain away completely. I knew I would need diligence to stay still until the healing finished.

After applying the regimen of stretching, massage, PT, and CBD lotion, I walked until about 1300 and took a two hour siesta in the shade of a granite boulder. I applied the regimen again and was able to make it just north of Fox Mill Spring (mile 683) where I camped in a flat spot of a coulee. That put me at about 12 miles that day, about 2/3 my old pace.

The next day I ran into Deluxe at Manter Creek (mile 694) and met two Canadian girls: Smiles & Miles. I took a siesta nestled in the tall brush and ate a large amount of Skittles. After soldiering on, I camped right along the South Fork Kern River (mile 698) and soaked my feet and shin splints in the cold water. It stiffened the ankle further, but relieved a great deal of discomfort.

The next morning I passed the 700 mile mark just before the road to the General Store at Kennedy Meadows South. Walking up, I received the traditional cheer from the dozen or so hikers chilling on the deck. I checked the log but didn't see Gaelen's name. So I hitched south two miles to Grumpy Bears Retreat which was next to Triple Crown Outfitters, where I had decided to stay. Both Triple Crown and the General Store offer free camping, but camping near Grumpy's bar sounded more lively. I bought a shower, a cheese burger, and 8 hours of WiFi; started my laundry; and connected with Gaelen via email. I hadn't had any cell service since the morning I researched shin splints.

Gaelen had arrived two nights before and was well rested and ready to tackle the mountains. I needed 3-5 days off. So we dissolved our commitment to stay together and began to each hike our own hike. It was sad to see the band broken up, but ultimately it was for the best. That night, the clouds took on what a local called the "Sierra glow". I set up my tent by Triple Crown with Deluxe and dreamed of mountains.

Summertime bliss. Maybe thrown in a lake and a hot spring and I’ll be in heaven....plus a beach and some snow? #adventurebeckons #395north #easterncalifornia #kennedymeadows (at Kennedy Meadow, California)

Throw back to that time @zrdavis and I were #twinning ••••• #wearesocool #hiking #backpacking #thetrek #TrekthePCT #pacificcresttrail #pacificcresttrials #pct #kennedymeadows #thruhike #hikertrash #laundryday #outdoorresearch #kuhl #altrashoes #raingear

Pacific Crest Trail Day 36: The biggest difference between the PCT in 2013 and 2019? The number of people on the trail. I could take this as a negative and espouse a "in my day, things were so much better when they're were fewer people on the trail" philosophy, but I prefer to embrace the new PCT reality and use my time out here to talk to as many other hikers as possible. . A significant percentage (like half) of hikers this year (that I've met) have been from places other than the US (thank Zeus, Americans are the worst, amirite?) and it has been great meeting people from all over the world on the trail. I've met hikers from Taiwan, Germany, France, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Africa, Israel, Canada, Brazil (estou com saudades, meus amigos lindos), Korea, Sweden, Poland, and the Czech Republic (and probably more that I can't currently recall). . Kennedy Meadows is a great place on the trail because it's one of the PCT's bottlenecks where you're suddenly surrounded by everyone else on the trail around you. Sunshine (@annyunnnnn), Smiles, and Ice Coffee are three hikers from Taiwan (who came in two separate groups) on the PCT this year and are just a few of the awesome people I've met on the trail thus far. . I'm sitting in Kennedy Meadows today waiting for Pumper (@bound_away) to come back to hike the Sierra after convincing him not to skip ahead to Northern California. By the time he arrives it's late, but we still manage 12.02 mi / 19.34 km before setting up camp. Tomorrow is our first full day of hiking in the Sierra. Should be a party. Either that or the worst decision of Pumper's life. I guess we'll find out soon. . Day: Kennedy Meadows to PCT 713.4 Day's distance: 12.02 mi / 19.34 km Day's elevation gain: 2,672 ft / 842 m #KennedyMeadows #PCT

After 702 miles of desert, I made it all the way to the famous Kennedy Meadows general store! However, since that means I've now reached the gateway to the Sierra Nevadas and the extremely high snowpack, I've come to the agonizing decision to take a brief break from the trail. Huge thanks to Rose and Zach, and @greggy_mitty and @jimothy1985 for the rides down from the mountains! And thanks to Cami of course for sharing her backseat! Don't worry though, I've decided to put my break to good use! I hit up Death Valley National Park today, discovering in the process that it is aptly named. I'm glad I didn't have to hike through any part of that heat. Now, I'm currently in a state of shock at the vast number of people in Las Vegas. Going to spend a couple days here and then I'm headed to Buenos Aires to visit @clairewhitemarsh! Huge shout out to @kimberlylnof and Carla for helping me store my gear while I'll be in Argentina! None of my adventures would be possible without all the help I've gotten along the way! #pct2019 #adventuring #optoutside #girlswhohike #kennedymeadows #deathvalley #lasvegas #toomanypeople #buenosaires https://www.instagram.com/p/By1XyAAHS7m/?igshid=q7uj5qd13b1g

A bewildered mind contemplates many things while I rest in the tall grass of a beautiful high mountain meadow. Feeling the soft textures of the muddy marsh, smelling the fresh spring growth, observing the reflections both visual and mindful. Vibrating continuously between being present and solving yesterday's percieved maladies. Would I change the interactions that have surely led me to this place in time, to become this person I am? Of course there have been challenges, mistakes, proprietary ailments of a unique mind; but without them would I not be someone completely different? Not to dismiss the experiences, friendships, loves that were profoundly positive, if even just for a limited time. The rain stops and the clouds began to clear, my focus realigned, I quickly dial in my settings and focus, capturing the scene that currenly surrounds me. A strong sense of passion for the land, being here at the right time, and sharing it with others spreads a smile acrossed my face. Nothing is better than the feeling of being back in a moment like this. It's as if I was on a tough journey only a second ago, and now I'm back home where I belong. #emformdesign #getoutthere #bepresent #inthemoment #landscapephotography #kennedymeadows https://www.instagram.com/p/BxqNgeMBXU2/?igshid=h5mcn8vpoqc4

One of our main men @zeuscamander_akita with his friends getting their adventure on! 📷 @zeuscamander_akita (ft. 1.75" Soft Collar in Black) #modernicon #madeinusa #handmade #adventuredog ・・・ Zeus went on a hike with his new friends today at Kennedy Meadows. We only got lost like 4 times 😂 #zeuscamander #akita #americanakita #akitasofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #dogstagram #dogslife #dogoftheday #ilovemydog #dogsofinsta #dogsofinstaworld #cattledog #kennedymeadows

A river runs through me... 📷 by @DerrickBarry. #NickSanPedro #KennedyMeadows #California #LumberJackRealnessBaby #AlmostFellInButWorthIt 🌿 (at Kennedy Meadows Resort)

My Dad #ScottBarry turned 63 yesterday! Isn’t he handsome?! Retirement is right around the corner. I gifted this painting by @Mr__Dojo to my Dad & #CandyBarry because it reminded me of our last family vacation at #KennedyMeadows in Sept 2017. Love you & miss you Dad & Candy! #PsychedelicTetons by #CarloCostantino (at Modesto, California)

Daily Blog Challenge Day 5 ~ My Favorite Childhood Memory: There were a pack of us kids in my neighborhood – lower income kids with parents who worked and left us alone a lot of the time, or didn’t work and just weren’t “present” for us. So we had a lot of freedom and, despite the notorious serial killer who stayed next door for a while and the black panther who was arrested at a bar up the hill after a shooting, we were allowed to around outside until it got dark most days. Read more on the blog! #linkinbio #linkinbio🔥 #aptos #calilife #kennedymeadows #sierranevada #pct

Day 54-59 (Ian) - Rest & Relaxation at Grumpy Bears Retreat

I ended up staying in Kennedy Meadows South for seven nights. I mostly hung out at Grumpy's bar or Triple Crown waiting for my shin splints to heal. I decided that I didn't feel comfortable tackling the highwater Sierra creeks alone, so I was also waiting for Bandaid, Scribe, and Jailbreak to arrive to join up with them. In that time I got to meet some pretty rad people: Rocketman, Sauce, Oprah, Bubblewrap, Pioneer. Oprah was super kind and have me a calf massage which did wonders for the shin splints.

It was awesome hanging out with Deluxe for the few days he stuck around as he seemed to know everyone. One night we had dinner in the bar with the famous Yogi, the owner of Triple Crown. We talked about hiker culture and the quirks of running a business in Kennedy Meadows South. Another fun memory is how remarkably similar Smiles looked to Kim Possible the cartoon character in her borrowed clothing while her laundry dried (it was the hat that did it) - I'd snapped a picture! I also got to meet Anne (honorary trailname: Firelady) the Forest Service liaison with the local community. She was on-site at Grumpy's most daylight hours calming fears about the tendril of smoke in the distance. A few days before I arrived two lightning strike fires had started, but both were well contained and they were just letting them smolder out.

The shower at Grumpy's bar was a very interesting design: two 500-gallon plastic water tanks stacked and cut into a shower shape with a garden hose and propane tank feeding into an on-demand water heater. And, it was angled for an amazing view of the valley! They also had a large shoe library out front.

Some people have trouble with signs (this was not staged)... Yogi wanted to protect this tree leading up the construction of an actual store front. Right now Triple Crown Outfitters operates out of a shipping container. Their resupply options were great! I ate a few meals at the bar, but mostly I ate from TCO's hiker supplies to save money. The vegan breakfast burrito from Grumpy's however was legit! And Guido, one of the bartenders, had invented a specialty cocktail called Hiker Trash Laundry. Mixing half a dozen juices, liqueurs, and liquors it came out of the shaker frothy and grey-blue... Just like all of our laundry water before the rinse cycle. It looked gross/awesome and tasted great/sweet (or so I was told, as I was still abstaining from alcohol).

My second day in Kennedy Meadows South I set out to find new shoes. Sadly TCO didn't carry my size, but the other outfitter of Two Foot Adventures did! They taught me to size hiking shoes differently from street shoes. You generally want a half to full size larger to give your toes more room to splay as you walk over uneven surfaces. Per usual, no Men's sizes fit my feet, but I've worn Women's running shoes for years now. I walked away pretty happy with my two pairs of Lone Peak 4s by Altra in Women's size 8.5. Not only will alternating the two pairs expand their lifespan, but through the Sierras I will appreciate having a dry pair and a wet pair. It took some time to learn how to lace the new monsters onto my feet without causing any rubbing. It also took a few days to get used to walking in them, but immediately I could tell I'd made a good purchase. The tread on the shoes has an interesting design with "paw pad" like protrusions under the balls of the feet which make walking uphill so much easier! Your foot gets more traction at the ball, so it can pivot there instead of at your toes - giving you additional leverage.

After hanging for a few days, most of the folks I'd met had either started into the Sierras or flipped up north somewhere to bypass them. I enjoyed the quiet resting for all of about 15 minutes. I was so ready to go conquer the mountains... Yogi teased me that I would just stay in Kennedy Meadows South forever! But eventually, I saw Scribe walking up to the bar. Horray! Due to poor connectivity and a crappy game of telephone, it took us all day to connect with Bandaid and Jailbreak - mostly because we were too excited to sit still and kept bouncing between Grumpy's and the General Store.

We rested for a few more days and waited for packages for the rest of the crew while we planned our resupply strategy through the Sierras. Meanwhile I was introduced to the Question Game and Word Of The Day that they had been playing. Each day we picked a word, and if you said the word you owed pushups, situps, or planking! I owed a lot rather quickly... And the Question Game was a long series of intimate questions we all answered for each other. Talk about a fast way to bond! A favorite question was: "If you could have any trail super power other than flying or teleporting (read: cheating), what would it be?" I said the ability to talk to & command woodland creatures, like Aquaman of the forests. A favorite response from someone else was the power to instantly wardrobe change into anything from your pack.

My pack the night before we left was so heavy! With gear and 5 days of food (but no water) it weighed 39 lbs. Ugh! But, we were heading into the place I had looked forward to for 50+ days. Nothing could bring me down.

The most interesting phenomena this last weekend... I came across this sign while scouting out some nearby trails and discovered this sign on the road. ☡ Lo and behold, I found #Sasquatch that night wandering the paved roads of #KennedyMeadows... 🚸 @piercerjohn ⁉ #StrangerThings #WeirdShit #SasquatchIsReal (at Kennedy Meadow, California)

What’s up everybody!!! HAPPY MONDAY! Don’t forget to watch my new #travelvideo on @YouTube . #photographer #wanderlust #travelblogger #cloudporn #photography #imovie #videoporn #videographer #videography #youtubechannel #eyebloomvisuals #eyebloomproductions #metallica #seekanddestroy #him #wingsofabutterfly #videoedits #edits #kennedymeadows #offroadaddiction #offroadaddiction #offroad4x4 #Offroad #honda #yamaha #yz #woods #natureride #holdontoyourbutts #rompin #brap #braap @metallica @visitcalifornia @californiaphile @travelvideoclub @unlimited.travel_ @travspringer @travelandleisure @travelchannel @adventurenthusiasts @offroad_exploration @offroadnation @yamaharacingcomofficial @offroaddynasty @explore_stop #explore #notlost #exploring #inyokern #inyoass #travelblogger #linkinbio

Pacific Crest Trail Day 35: My final day of hiking in the desert takes me past mile 700 (1,126 km) and to the PCT landmark Kennedy Meadows - the official (unofficial?) start of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. . I have waiting for me (I've mailed them ahead of time) an ice axe, snow gaiters, microspikes, waterproof socks, and a bear canister - all things that I may or may not need (except the bear canister, definitely need that) for the next section of trail. What I don't have is bug repellant (forgot it). Hopefully, this isn't a huge mistake. . There's been a lot of fear mongering around the snow in the Sierra this year but I'm mostly on the side of "trust nobody and go find out for yourself" than I am on the side of some anonomys internet echo chamber of "we're all going to die!" It's probably going to be fine. . The majority of people whom I speak to at Kennedy Meadows are hiking to Lone Pine (just 40-ish mi / 64 km away) and then jumping up to Northern California to avoid snow. To me, this sounds like a huge mistake, but none of us have any right to judge anyone else's hikes - I wish them all luck (though, they should know, as I just learned, that skipping ahead will invalidate their PCT permits which are only valid for a continuous footpath). . I spend the night catching up with faces from the desert and proselytizing the glory of the Sierra. . Day: Chimney Peak Campground to Kennedy Meadows Day's distance: 21.91 mi / 35.25 km Day's elevation gain: 3,818 ft / 1,164 m #KennedyMeadows #PCT

Like a fast flowing river I rage inside the banks of my mind. Like a tall mountain peak I can be cold from weathering many storms. Like the new growth of spring I can turn the hardships of winter into beautiful blossoms. Like the evergreen trees of this dense forest my spirit continues to thrive. Like anyone who seeks these special places, I let the nature of the forest balance and heal. #emformdesign #landscapephotography #kennedymeadows #creativewriting #stanislausnationalforest https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxh-olyhQRQ/?igshid=i3yespmx33ky

It's the weekend! Time for some adventure with your four legged friends! @kellyyyl 📷 (ft. 1.75" Rigid Collar in Black) #modernicon #madeinusa #handmade #adventuredog ・・・ Hiking in Kennedy Meadows. Zeus made some new friends, I got to hangout with my friends and @gun_craft . It was a good day 👍🏻 thanks @anhalastone and @hayleecperry for inviting us and @grace.bloom even though I didn't get to see her lol #kennedymeadows #zeuscamander #akita #americanakita #akitasofinstagram #dog_features #dogsofinstagram #dogstagram #dogslife #dogoftheday #ilovemydog #dogsofinsta #unleashedexplorers #akitaru #dogsonadventures #adventuredognation #adventurewithdogs_ #backcountrypaws #dogsthathike #hikingwithdogs #hikingdogsofinsta