Day 145

Forced zero day due to hotel required 2-night stay for a weekend and the doctor not wanting me to go anywhere at least a full day so I can go back to him quickly if the steroid pills cause any adverse reactions. The pills and cream aren’t miracle drugs. I know it’s going to take a while so I won’t sweat that my subacromial-subdeltoid bursitis is still inflamed and causing pain but I do believe it’s less than it was the day before. So today, I devoured a big breakfast, walked to the grocery store and did a full resupply for the next 4 days, packed up my pack with everything and all my bottles topped off to make it the heaviest I will carry with gear, full resupply and full water. I then put the pack on and walked to The Mountain Goat outfitter. The pack was just as awkward as ever walking there. It’s not a problem with the pack in my opinion. It was perfect in the beginning for my body type. I’m just not 179 lbs with 26% body fat anymore! I need a pack that fits my body now. The guy who works there was FANTASTIC! He really worked hard to help me. It was starting to look like none of their packs would fit me unless I went with the 5 lb+ Osprey packs that had adjustable hip straps. I really wanted the Osprey Atmos 58 but the hip straps couldn’t tighten enough. What I ended up finding that worked was actually the Osprey Eja 48. That’s a 48 liter pack just like the Atmos but the female version. Hell, I don’t care! It’s a freakin pack! I’ll take whatever fits me the best! Even with this pack, the hip straps are almost maxed but it fits SO well right now, I love it. It’s only a few ounces more than my old ULA Circuit as well. I was able to fit everything in it amazingly, even though it’s much smaller liter capacity and I even didn’t need the water bottle pocket. The smaller water bottle fits in a side hole in a side pocket even though I have a liter bottle sitting in that pocket from the top hole. I di need to use the brain for the pockets on it to hold everything but I’m happy. It hugs me well and the walk back to the hotel with it on felt SO much nicer than the walk there with the old pack. My shoulder still hurts but I can tell that’s from the preexisting inflammation and not because of the pack. It’s not exacerbated like it was with the ULA Circuit. Most importantly, I was able to attach my “Last Call” patch but this time I had to super glue it. This BETTER by my last pack! I just have 539.1 miles to go! Fingers crossed I can find a ride to trail tomorrow so I don’t have to do the 5.6 mile highway walk up there in what looks like a rainy day. I am only planning 10.6 miles on trail to start easy on my first day back after seeing the doctor. Oh, before I go, I must say it was an honor and a pleasure to hang out at the VFW with two of my favorite guys on trail, Snowman and Wandering Wizard. I hope I can catch up with him. These are two gentlemen I would be proud to climb Katadhin with. Their energy, personality and humor have made my time sharing campsites with them an absolute pleasure. It’s the people you meet on this trail that makes it truly magical. The views are just a side bonus.