Hannah the hiker

Well it has been a while since I have posted on this blog. Given the time since the last one, I am sure it is obvious that I had to get off the trail. I stayed in Mammoth Lakes for a week, hoping my hip would get better. It didn’t, and the doctors and physical therapists that I met told me that it likely wouldn’t be better for several weeks. 

That was devastating for me. I put so much time and effort into the PCT, this giant dream of mine, all for it to end because of a bum hip. I never thought that I would get injured out there, which I realize now is foolish thinking. I was all by myself in Mammoth Lakes which added to the stress of it all. When I really could have used a trail angel or trail magic there was nothing to be found. I walked close to 1,000 miles by myself out there and the loneliest I ever felt was in Mammoth Lakes. 

I used my trekking poles to get myself to the hospital and grocery store, but other than that I stayed in my room. The pain was terrible and I often fell over because I couldn’t put any weight on my left leg. 

Before starting the trail I told myself that there was nothing that would take me off it. That even if I felt like going home, or tired, or lonely, I wouldn’t give up. And then I was faced with this injury. I knew if I kept going I would be in even more pain, and be hiking in one of the hardest parts of the trail which would put me in even more danger. I also knew that there was no part of me that wanted to go home. I made the difficult decision to go home and get help with my injury. I’m glad I was alone for that decision because I don’t think I’d ever want someone to see me crying that much. 

Before going straight home a family friend graciously picked me up and drove me to their home in San Jose. It had been years since I saw Julie so I was thrilled. I was also so happy to see a familiar face which made me feel a bit better about the whole ordeal. I stayed with her and her family for about a week, still holding out hope that my hip would get better. It got worse. 

Besides the hip pain I enjoyed my stay. I tried real sushi for the first time, and in-n-out. 

From San Jose I traveled to Santa Monica and stayed with my Aunt Therese. This was also fun for me. I haven’t seen my aunt, uncle, and cousins in years so it was nice to catch up. At this point it was a little easier to walk around, but still painful so I only ever walked half a mile at a time. Luckily the beach was less than half a mile from where I was staying. I went twice to see the ocean and dip my feet in. 

I flew home on October 22. I didn’t take the train ride since sitting in a seat for three days didn’t sound like it would be comfortable at all with my hip. The plane ride was a little scary but luckily the airport staff were accommodating and wheeled me around so I didn’t have to limp between terminals. 

My dad picked me up in Syracuse that night. Seeing him and my mom made me realize that the trail was over for me. It really hit me when I saw them. 

I went to the chiropractor a couple of times and got my hips adjusted since they were severely out of alignment. Apparently the strain on my muscles moved my hips which caused all of my pain. 

It’s been 2 months since I got off the trail and I am still walking funny. I try to walk around as much as I can to get things back to normal, but it’s going to take a little while. 

Since I have been home I have gotten my first ever full-time job as a substance use prevention counselor and educator. I also bought my first dog (and best friend), Cash. Before I left for the trail I told myself that my reward for when I came home would be getting a dog. And I think Cash was my last little bit of trail magic. He was born the day I got to Seattle. When I went to my first chiropractor after getting home, I passed a sign that said “German Shepherd puppies for sale.” Obviously I asked my dad to stop. And then I met Cash and his siblings. The next day I went back and bought him. He lived in a room in a barn until I bought him. He had never been outside or anything. I realize how cringe this sounds, but I think Cash and I kind of rescued each other in that way. We both needed some extra love after tough situations. We go for a lot of walks, and I am getting him ready to be my hiking buddy. 

I was happy to see people I met on the trail posting updates on Facebook. I felt happy to see their shining faces when they finally made it to the border. Even though I might never see any of them ever again, I am still happy I got to meet them at all and share such a wonderful experience. The community on the trail is unlike anything I have ever experienced, and even those small interactions will stay with me for the rest of my life.

I will admit that it is nice to take a shower when I want and have clean socks all of the time. But I would still trade all of this in for being on the trail again. I would trade it all in even for some of the “worst” days out there with snow, freezing rain, dehydration, and walking with a lame hip. A bad day on the trail was still one of the best days of my life. I felt the most like myself out there. Oftentimes I have dreams about still being on the trail, which obviously makes me sad. But I still think I am pretty fortunate to have been out there at all, and try to reflect on the good of it all. I guess I would rather have my hip fixed now so I can keep adventuring for the rest of my life rather than only finishing the PCT.

I am planning on finishing the last 1,000 ish miles of the trail in the next couple of years. I wish I could go this summer, but I guess I have to work for a while so I can afford my adventures. 

So, thanks to everyone who read my PCT posts and for all of the support. It meant a lot to me to have people supporting what I love. Thanks for reading this far too, I just wanted to give an update on what happened with the injury and all.

Hiking isn’t over for me though, I am planning on knocking out some Winter ADK High Peaks soon, the CDT, AT, and get more into mountaineering. So Hannah the Hiker isn’t going anywhere.