This post is Day 17 of 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
Perfection!
Despite the train noises I slept well at East Beaver River campsite and awoke to clear skies and a beautiful breeze. I had cell signal on days 15 and 16 so I recorded those days in real-time. But the rest of this section was out of cell service so I’m writing from memory.
I crossed under the train tracks and headed northeast along a privately owned trail section. The views of the lake were breathtaking, and I was so grateful to be able to see the lake!
I continued upward onto a ridge above Silver Bay and climbed several beautiful outlooks, each one prettier than the last. I was so thankful to see blue blazes painted on the rocks in this section because I’d gotten lost the day before on similar outlooks that were not as well maintained.
Just after I crossed Penn Boulevard I met a couple of friendly thru-hikers who admitted they were jealous of my bug pants, which made me laugh. I get a lot of comments on my bug suit. A little girl I passed at the Cascade River said, “What is on your body?” Another woman said, “Well, aren’t you prepared for everything!?!” Lots of people see my bug suit and say they have never seen anything like it. But the thru-hikers who have been battling mosquitos for miles and miles always appreciate it.
I made sure to ask the couple what the trail was like in the section they had just done and they said, “Lots of rocky ups and downs.” That seemed like a pretty accurate description of this section of the SHT thus far, so I felt prepared.
When I reached the Bean and Bear Lakes loop I was confused because I knew the trail was closed for rehabilitation, but there wasn’t any signage indicating the reroute. Luckily I had five bars on my phone so I called the SHT administrative offices and asked for help. The woman I spoke with confirmed that the section was closed, and guided me on how to take the reroute. She apologized for the signage being missing and said it could have blown down, been knocked down by a moose, or even taken down by someone who didn’t know better.
The trail reroute was easy to navigate from there, though it appeared that other signs had been deliberately taken down, perhaps by ATV riders who were not happy about sharing a 1-mile section of their trail with the SHT during the rehabilitation.
From there I continued another two miles to the Palisade Creek campsites, where I set up camp at East Palisade still feeling energized after 8 miles.
The entire day passed so comfortably with a cool breeze, low humidity, no bugs, and pleasant temperatures. I made my dinner and settled in to read in my tent.
I have fine-tuned my backpacking menu over the last several sections, and here is what I’m eating now:
Breakfasts – Organic homemade quick oats packets with chia seeds, dried coconut powder, butter powder, freeze-dried blueberries, and Perfect Collagen Chocolate flavor. I add boiling water and stir, and this keeps me full until mid-morning.
Snacks – Trail mix packets, Aloha Coconut Chocolate Almond bars, and Skout Organic Blueberry Bars.
Lunches – Chia Smash Blueberry Jam packets, Sunbutter packets, and GF pretzels.
Dinners – Homemade dehydrated meals with variations such as gluten-free millet-rice ramen with dehydrated protein like tuna or crumbled cooked ground turkey, cheese powder, and butter powder; “Thanksgiving” with potato flakes, a teaspoon of dried gravy mix, dehydrated bread cubes, dehydrated cooked turkey cubes, dehydrated butternut squash cubes, dried cranberries, celery, and spices; “Colcannon” with dried potato flakes, dehydrated grated beets, freeze-dried chicken cubes, dried rosemary, and dehydrated chard and sauer kraut.
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.
Get my free ebook, symptom log, and meal plan!
Want a tool to easily keep track of your symptoms? Sign up for my newsletter and you will receive my free 50-page ebook of lower-histamine, grain-free, sugar-free recipes, my free symptom log, and a free two-week meal plan!
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.
Get my free ebook, symptom log, and meal plan!
Want a tool to easily keep track of your symptoms? Sign up for my newsletter and you will receive my free 50-page ebook of lower-histamine, grain-free, sugar-free recipes, my free symptom log, and a free two-week meal plan!
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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.
