This post is Day 23 of solo backpacking the SHT with MCAS continuing my journey on the Superior Hiking Trail with a chronic condition called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).
Table of Contents
Morning fog
I awoke to find that my tent was surrounded by dense fog. A gentle breeze occasionally knocked drops of condensed fog from the trees, making it “rain” a little. But it wasn’t enough for my gear to get wet and the fog felt cool and refreshing.
This was my last day on the trail for this section, and as I packed up my much lighter pack I was excited to finish a lovely four days of hiking. The couple I talked to last night suggested that we exchange contact info so that we could potentially coordinate a key swap on future sections, where we would park at opposite trailheads, swap car keys when we met in the middle, and use each other’s cars to meet up after hiking our sections. It was nice to have that option when the shuttle proved expensive.
Day hikers
Today I hiked a short 2.5 miles to Highway 1 where my car was parked. Along the way, I passed the Fantasia Overlook, but with the thick fog, there was no view to be enjoyed so I bypassed the spur trail.
In keeping with the theme of this section, I again passed many day-hikers and several thru-hikers. In past trips, it was so rare to see anyone out on the trail that I almost always stopped to meet people and share information. But the vibe is much different at this point in the season. Thru-hikers are on a mission to get the 300 miles done as quickly as possible, and it’s reflected in their determined expressions to avoid distractions and keep going.
Day hikers are plentiful, and most of them appear unprepared for the difficult terrain. A man and his son who were wearing sneakers and t-shirts, no packs, asked to “pick my brain” about the trail behind me, and I relayed that it was 2.5 miles to the overlook and not easy.
Elbow pain
In my previous two 25-mile sections I used trekking poles and found them helpful for balance and navigating tricky terrain. But after my last section, I had a recurrence of tennis elbow, a painful condition not from playing tennis in my case, but from overusing the muscles in my right arm. It started in 2018 when I was under a ton of stress from caregiving, and it took several years to be free of the pain.
After this recent bout of tennis elbow, I saw my osteopath and his manipulations helped with my pain significantly. But I was still extra careful with my right arm when I set out on this section.
On day 19 I hiked without any poles, which went fine on the relatively flat terrain. But on day 20 the elevation gain made it necessary to have a little extra help with balance. I still didn’t want to set back my progress in healing my elbow, so I tried using one trekking pole in my left hand. It took a mile or so to get the hang of it, and then I was happy to have improved balance without causing further harm to my right elbow. I used the left trekking pole for the remainder of this section with great results.
Back to my car!
As I finished this section I looked forward to setting down my pack in my car. Every time I head out on a section hike I say a little prayer that my car won’t be broken into while I’m away. It’s much more likely to happen at certain trailheads close to Duluth, and I wasn’t anticipating it would be an issue here. And when I reached my car I was happy to find it intact. The parking lot was still full, reflecting the hiker traffic I’d experienced on the trail but all was well.
Each section I complete makes me wonder whether it will be my last one of the year. It’s been so wonderful to squeeze in this mid-September hike when the mosquitos and rain are less of an issue relative to June and July when it was so buggy and muddy. And it’s been fun to see how the trail’s character changes as the seasons change, the type of folks it draws in different months, and to reflect on how I’m a more experienced SHT backpacker now after 129 miles!
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!
Sign up for the SSP!
The SSP is a listening therapy based on Polyvagal Theory created by Stephen Porges to unlock your ability to think, feel, and connect better through nervous system regulation. You use the SSP via an app on your phone and listen with over-the-ear headphones to specially filtered music that heals the nervous system, specifically the vagus nerve. You subscribe to the app with a provider like me and listen to the specially curated music for 30 minutes each day for a 5-hour cycle. Studies show the SSP has a profound effect on mental health and chronic conditions
You can sign up for the SSP here!
Order my book!
Rocks and Roots chronicles my journey solo backpacking the Superior Hiking Trail and overcoming nervous system dysregulation, gut dysbiosis, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome symptoms to hike 328 miles successfully.
Check out this powerful frequency device
Healy is an individualized microcurrent device I use to reduce inflammation. Check out this post for more about Healy.
Sign up for a session!
I provide one-on-one in-person and remote chronic illness and caregiver coaching and Sacred Self-Healing Sessions based on the Sacred Self-Healing Method, a proven novel co-creative healing modality detailed in my Books.
Click here for more information.
What do you think?
I’d love to have your reply below!
Disclaimer
The preceding material does not constitute medical advice. This information is for information purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, cure or treatment. Always seek advice from your medical doctor.
