From
the Bottom of the Bucket
Return
to the Forest (Part 1)
"Contact with Nature is as vital to our well being as regular exercise and a healthy diet"
Forest Bathing-Dr. Qing Li
Each year I wind up my annual hiking activities with a three day backpacking trip in mid-November. I pick this time because of the beautiful color of the trees and the slight chill in the air that speaks of the approaching winter. Last year I was forced to skip a year because of medical issues, which still persist today. This year I set my sights on returning to the woods in a new style. The trail I chose was in The Danial Boone National Forest, a two million acre preserve that runs from Tennessee to Virginia. I also chose an unmarked trail for reasons I will explain later. In early October, the trip was in jeopardy due to a sore hip muscle, which carried an additional distraction of lower back pain, at times acute sciatica, possibly related to the spread of my Parkinson’s. So this journey was facing more than the normal challenges.
As part of my Activities in my Roles (under intellectual stimulation)
I took an online course in back country navigation, to refresh my routing
skills and learn the latest in map technology.
I practiced with my phone and GPS in local woods. I focused these skills on a downloaded,
custom gridded map of the trail we were going to take, the Cane Creek Valley to
Van Hook Falls.
This process requires thought as you vizuliaze the journey. Food, water, first-aid kit (and a modest amount of Kentucky bourbon) all have to be collected, distributed, trying to keep the weight at around forty pounds per pack, because, after all, you will be carrying it on the trail. After comparing notes, one last look at the weather (severe rainstorm forcast for Day 1) we loaded up and were ready to start our adventure.
Plan, Organize, Execute
I have mentioned this simple sequence for managing your life before. The planning stage, took over two months and much discussion about fitness requirements, changing variables, and desired outcomes. We had to itemize the necessary gear and equally share the challenge of carrying it on the trail. The first two parts were complete, now all we had to do was execute our plan.
In real life, plans seldom go as projected. Back country hiking is the same way. Perhaps that is what draws me to it, it is a metaphor for life. While planning increases the likeliness of a satisfactory outcome, it is almost certain there will be an unanticipated variable that will alter the original plan. It is your reaction to these changes that will define the outcome. As we shall see, that was the case on this trip.
I mentioned that my physical condition was a factor in skipping last year's excursion. In addition to the spasms caused by my Parkinson's, I had spent the past seven months receiving immunotherapy infusions for my cancer. The, in September, I had an acute pull of muscles in my right hip that also caused pain in my lower back. Still, I was determined to participate in my annual Fall pilgrimage to the mountains of eastern Kentucky. I set up a training program that consisted of strength training, day hiking in a local woods and treadmill walks with my pack, filled with thirty five pound weights. All the while, nursing my pulled muscle with a combination of Pilates stretching, massage and reduced workout regimen. On the morning of our departure, I seemed to have myself in a manageable, but not ideal, condition for the hike.
We made the two hour trip without incident, loaded up at the trailhead and began the decent into Cane Creek Valley. After about a hundred yards, due to the slick conditions of the wet leaves on the trail, I slipped and fell, wrenching my back in the process. I seemed uninjured, but as we continued it was apparent that I was favoring my left hip, causing me to list and keeping me from centering the weight of the pack. Eventually the pain caused me to realize I would be unable to continue.
Because of my research, I knew the intended campsite could not be far. I sent the youngest (and strongest) member of our group to scout ahead and thankfully the site was only a few hundred yards ahead. He shuttled both of our packs to the site and we settled down to the chore of setting up camp. After two hours, we had completed the task.
We settled in for happy hour and waited for the storm that was predicted for that evening. Instead, we were treated to a mild evening and went to bed around midnight. Around one thirty am, rain began to plop on the tent, and soon a torrential downpour began. It would last for six hours and drop 2.5 inches of rain on us. But we were snug in our sleeping bags and dry in our tents.
The next morning, we arose to clear skies and a creek that had risen about three feet. The creek trickle from yesterday was a torrent of rushing water. We ate a hearty breakfast and set out to hike to the falls, which was about a mile down the trail. My hip was much improved (bourbon is a wonderful medicine!) and we made good time until we came to a spot where the trail crossed Caney Creek. Basically the swift current and the depth of the water made crossing a risky proposition. After thirteen minutes our quest to visit Van Hook Falls was halted. After considering the options, we decided to return to camp and soak in the leisure of a beautiful fall day. We finished up with a hearty meal of beef stroganoff and a blazing campfire that lasted well past midnight. Everyone agreed that our day of tree bathing had been an unplanned but enjoyable experience.
The next morning , we broke camp and after a full day of rest, my hip pain was all but gone. We made the hike out in half the time that it took to hike in. I finished strong and we departed with the tired glow that only comes from hiking for three days in the woods.
What lessons were learned? What does this journey have to do with Living in the Bucket? You will have to wait till next month and read Part 2.
Until next month, I wish you fulfillment.
Bob
