This post is Day 14 solo backpacking the SHT with MCAS continues my journey on the Superior Hiking Trail with a chronic condition called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).
Table of Contents
Ups and Downs
I packed up my gear and after last night’s rain, I was glad that everything had stayed dry except my tent. I hoped to find a place along my walk today to lay the tent out over some branches to dry because it was sopping wet. But with overcast skies, and some challenges on my way, I never got the chance.
From Blueberry Hill I continued southwestward. I had plans to stop after about five miles at one of the four Gooseberry River campsites to assess whether I wanted to camp there or keep going.
The first several miles featured dozens of wooden boardwalks that were slick from last night’s rain. I brought a new pair of Swiftland TT trekking poles from REI for this trip. I had been reluctant to purchase trekking poles because of the expense, and because I liked having my hands free. But within the first mile of using them, I was sold on trekking poles. They helped me stay balanced with the slippery footing on the boardwalks, and I was happy to have the poles to help stabilize me on all types of terrain. On the flat and inclined trail sections, the poles helped propel me forward more efficiently, while on downhill sections I could use them to take some of the load off of my knees.
Within a short while, I realized that the bugs were back in force, perhaps having just hatched from the recent rain, so I put on my full bug suit again. And the rain also meant the trails were a muddy mess again.
When I reached the Gooseberry River the signage said that I had come 4.7 miles from Blueberry Hill and that the Castel Danger trailhead where my car was parked was 8.7 miles away. This information made me confused. I was certain I had only come about 3 miles so far, and that Castle Danger was no more than 7 miles ahead.
A few minutes later I met a thru-hiker named Meg who was going northbound. She confirmed the signs were confusing because the signage had not been changed to reflect the new Gooseberry trail re-route that we were following on our maps.
It was fun talking to Meg. Oftentimes when I meet other hikers after hardly speaking to anyone a day or two my brain is too blissed out on nature to converse. She asked me a lot of questions about the sections I’ve hiked so far, and I was able to switch my mind back to human conversation mode. When I asked her how she liked the SHT so far she said it was, “much harder than expected.” I agreed because the sections I’ve done have definitely had lots of ups and downs.
We said goodbye and I continued along the Gooseberry River where I anticipated the trail would soon have a washed-out section from the heavy June rains. I had carefully read the trail reports online before this hike because I’d been caught off-guard recently by a trail closure. So I thought I was prepared for what was in store.
Meg had indicated there wasn’t any water available in this section, so I stopped to refill my reservoir in the river. But as I stepped closer to the bank I realized too late that this was the start of the washed-out section. I lost my footing and slid down the soft bank while madly reaching for anything to grab onto. Because the shore was mushy from the recent erosion there was nothing to grab, and my feet sank into quicksand-like mud. I turned to hurl myself back up the bank and ended up doing a face-plant into the mud. My glasses were dirty, my water reservoir was dirty, and I was covered with sticky mud.
I managed to scramble to safety and kept going along the river hoping to find a better place to get water. But the Gooseberry adventure wasn’t over yet. Trail reports also indicated a section where the trail had washed away that I would need to bushwhack. Sure enough, the trail ended abruptly at the river, so I followed a rough path into the woods. Unfortunately, I was following in the footsteps of other hikers who had gone the wrong way. Then I bonked my head on a low-hanging branch. When I realized I had done a complete circle I checked my GPS and carefully retraced my steps back to where I’d gone wrong.
By this point, my tent was still sopping, my water reservoir was muddy and the tape had come off the hole I’d patched a few weeks ago. I was achy from the fall and my head hurt from the whack from the branch. All I wanted was to get off the trail.
Eventually, I found a clear access point where I could rinse some off some of my filth and fill up. Then when I reached the last Gooseberry campsite I took a longer break, cleaned my glasses, took some Arnica for the aches, and regrouped.
I decided to power through the next six miles to where my car was parked, taking breaks every mile to have a snack. Halfway I reached Mike’s Rock, a touching memorial with painted rocks and a telephone to make “Stardust Calls.” There I took another extended break to change into dry socks and a cooler shirt, ate another big snack, filtered the last of my water, and then continued on.
The last mile before the trailhead featured a steep climb to an overlook, then a steep rocky descent. By this time I had gone over ten miles and my legs were jelly. I carefully picked my way along the rocks and gratefully reached my car.
Though this trip had some hard parts I learned that I can go a lot further than I initially thought. Compared to my first hike at 1 mile the 10.7 miles today proved that my stamina has come a long way!! Because of the scarcity of water, I carried 3-4 liters in my pack, so it was heavier than it had ever been, but it was still doable. I wished I had asked Meg what the trail she had just done was like, so I could have anticipated the issues I encountered with the wash-out and bushwhacking. Next time I will try to get more information about the trail conditions from people I meet along the way.
Despite the challenges I experienced this time, I am eager to be back on the SHT!
What is MCAS?
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a chronic condition that affects all organ systems. It can cause severe, disabling symptoms every day, including potentially fatal anaphylaxis. MCAS often occurs with other chronic conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Managing MCAS is challenging because many healthcare providers are unaware of it, and diagnostic tests can be unreliable. Treatments involve using antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers, and avoiding triggers. Check out this post on how to manage MCAS.
The bucket theory
The bucket theory simplifies understanding symptom reactions with MCAS. Imagine your body as an empty bucket you don’t want to overflow. Reactions to various stimuli fill the histamine bucket at different rates, forming the total histamine level (how full your bucket is). More histamine means more symptoms. By managing triggers, reducing exposures, and taking medications and supplements, you can control your bucket’s level.
Know your typical symptom progression
Knowing your symptom progression in a symptom flare is the key to developing your rescue plan. This post discusses how to recognize your symptom progression to be prepared to address those symptoms.
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Healy is an individualized microcurrent device I use to reduce inflammation. Check out this post for more about Healy.
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Disclaimer
The preceding material does not constitute medical advice. This information is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, cure, or treatment. Always seek advice from your medical doctor.
