I hike for fitness, both mental and
physical, and as a result have hiked thousands of miles, in all manner of
conditions and terrain. I use first quality kit: shoes, backpack, carbon fiber
trekking poles, etc. I stay well hydrated on the trail and am well aware of my
limits, given the conditions. So clearly, it should be obvious to all that I am
a “seasoned hiker.”
Sometime ago, it was hotter than
normal, in fact a record setting day. Now, I have hiked in the heat often and
adjust accordingly, because I am a “seasoned hiker.” I had planned to do a
short hike, 6 miles or so, that day and was determined to follow through. As I
set out from my home the thermometer read 95. Hot, but I had hiked in hotter
and being a “seasoned hiker” I knew what to do. When I arrived at the trailhead
the thermometer read 109. Hmm, the little voice in the back of my mind chimed
in with “this isn’t a good idea.” I considered this for a moment but quickly
dismissed it, since being a “seasoned hiker” I looked at as a good training
exercise in adverse conditions and I could always cut it short if needed.
So, off I went. It was hot, really
hot, but I pressed on. I walked for a bit and then started up a short incline
leading to the ridgeline. Cresting the ridge, it was clear that 6 miles was
out, so I opted to half it. That voice kicked in again and said, “turn around
now.” I thought about it and instead decided to drop down another trail to the
forest below for some shade to walk back to my vehicle. Same distance and being
a “seasoned hiker” I knew I could handle it.
20 minutes later I was in real
trouble. See, the trail I went down was a narrow V and I had forgotten how heat
builds up on trails like this and I found myself walking through sections where
it was 130+. I quickly become nauseous and lightheaded, and if I hadn’t had my
trekking poles to stabilize me, I would have fallen. For the first time since I
started hiking, I considered calling for help. I found some shade and rested
for 30 minutes. I drank a quart of electrolyte infused water and recovered
enough strength to reach the trees and get back to my vehicle. I was wiped, and
it took a full day to recover from my little 3-mile hike.
We all have that small voice and the
times in my life when it got “interesting”, and not in a good way, were the
times I thought I knew better and didn’t listen. So, if the voice says head
back to the car, turn left instead of right, stay away from someone or
something, etc. listen. For when we do, frequently nothing happens, and that is
often the point and a good thing, whether we are “seasoned” or not.
© Vincent Lee Jones All Rights
Reserved
Miracles Of Recovery, Overdose
Death, Alcoholism, Wayne Dyer, Drug Addiction, Zen, Emmet Fox, Opioids, Heroin,
Einstein, AA, Healing Path Recovery, Drug Rehab, #Drug Addiction, #Drug Rehab,
#Healing Path Recovery, #Heroin, #Opioids
No comments:
Post a Comment