COMING HOME – WHAT’S NEXT?
Friday May 11, 2018
While last week was interesting, visiting parts of the Southwest of West Australia, within a day or two I was regretting not changing my flight. The Bibbulmum hike was the purpose of the trip to the west and it was over. Combined with a few injury issues that needed attention, I really just wanted to go home.
I started the Bibbulmun hike with a partially torn upper hamstring tendon, right where the hamstring attaches to the sit bones. It did not get any worse on the hike but I realised that it was also not getting any better.
My body just did not feel as strong as I felt last year hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). I also had a lot more trouble with my feet on this hike compared to the PCT in the previous two years. This trail was just tough on my feet. The surfaces were rocky and hard, almost like hiking on concrete. The long rainy periods added to the foot stress. I had numerous blisters and was lucky to avoid infection. One of my big toenails has almost completely detached from the bed of the nail. This started months ago while trail running and hiking the Bibbulmun just accelerated the damage.
And lastly, it’s a strange thing to say, I was also homesick in a way. I missed Hammer and I missed all the comforts of my home. I needed to come home for some pampering, recovery and rebuilding so I can start dreaming of the next adventure. So what is next?
In six weeks time Hammer is off to the USA to take a school group to visit NASA in Houston, Texas and the Rocket Propulsion Lab in Huntsville, Alabama. I’m sure he will have some free time for some cultural experiences in parts of America neither of us has visited before.
While he is away I’m planning on hiking the Larapinta Trail in Australias Northern Territory. Winding its way 231km (150 miles) along the West MacDonnell ranges it traverses ridges and plains, and passes through some of the most amazing gorges in the country.
In early October I’m running the Chicago Marathon. I’m sort of half committed to running the six world major marathons before I hang up my running shoes. I’ve run Boston and New York marathons already and after Chicago I will still have Tokyo, London and Berlin Marathons to complete. I would also love to run the Boston Marathon one more time. I’ve run it twice, in 2007 and again in 2015. Both times it was in attrocious wet, windy and cold conditions. Just one more time to say godbye. It is THE marathon for me and one more to take me to my rocking chair. Not sure how or when I will do these runs. It feels like I’m living on borrowed time and time is running out.
So first up – next year Hammer and I will be returning to the US for six months to hike the Continental Divide Trail (CDT). The CDT traverses five states, from the Mexican border to the Canadian border and covers more than 5,000km (3,100miles). It feels audacious and I want to be ready to tackle it.
Hi Corkey, we met last August on the PCT. So happy that you are trying the next long trail in the USA. I’ve heard it’s the most isolated and adventurous hike. Triple crowners usually save it for last. Please email or PM me as I would love to meet Hammer when he visits my city of Houston. Also I made my first hiking blog if you’re interested about the Camino. https//donkeythepilgrim.wordpress.com
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Hi Donkey
So nice to hear from you. I do recall you were going to do the Camino. Thank you for the blog link, I will read it as the Camino would be such a different experience to the PCT.
I will send you Hammers travel dates and contact details. I loved the Washington section of the PCT last year and still dream of returning. I’m a little bit daunted but also excited to do the CDT.
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Corky, I know someone who is doing the CDT right now. She did the PCT last year. Her handle is “Homemade Wanderlust” and i think you might enjoy following her. I have enjoyed this trip with you (thanks!) and look forward to your future adventures. I understand completely what you wrote about feeling a sense of urgency about certain things. All the best to you and Hammer!
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Thank you for the link Leslie. It has been great to have your company. I’m excited to start planning our next big hike.
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Great job Corky!
So what’s next? Difficult to choose but sure it will be another great adventure 🙂
Some French guys from 2016 PCT will hije CDT in 2019…
Give my hello ti Hammer.
Happy trail and happy life…
Delta
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Thank you Delta
Any chance you will be back hiking soon? You have so many beautiful GR trails on your doorstep in Toulouse. Hammer sends a ‘Good day’ to you. We hope to return to France and Switzerland and walk the Haute Route trail soon.
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In between big hike, I fly above Pyrénées mountain close to Toulouse 🙂
You are welcome in France any time and in case you walk the Haute Randonnée Pyrénéenne aka the HRP (www.hrp-info.fr), I will support you for the resupply, you are welcome in Toulouse and I will drive you to the Pyrénées…
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Wow that would be amazing Delta. We have only done a little bit of hiking in France near the Vanoise National Park and also around Chamonix.
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Thank you Delta. I was very happy to finish before it got any colder. That is great to hear about the class of 2016. We hope to meet some familiar faces on the CDT.
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A French guy named Rémi will hike the PCT in 2019, I will keep you informed about his schedule.
All the best Corky and Hammer 🙂
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Great, thank you Delta.
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Wow. A rolling stone gathers no moss. As I sit here in my tent at 05:30 in the morning preparing for another day on the PCT I am inspired by your writing and future plans to hike the CDT. Thank you for sharing. Now i just need to find the energy at the end of each day to catch up with my own blog !!!! All the best.
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Kirk,
you’ll get into the rhythm of your hiking days. I know what you mean about finding energy at the end of the day. Many times I’d fall asleep while writing the blog. Hope you will keep yours going. I look forward to following your updates.
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I’m sure you will catch up soon. It takes a little while to get in the rhythm of your hiking days.
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Congratulations on your most recent hike and best of luck on your future hikes and runs. Your pictures and commentary are outstanding.
Please do all of your planning for the Continental Divide Trail. Many sections are very remote and resupply can be very difficult. You will be in grizzly country from northern Wyoming through Montana. Don’t let that discourage you, just plan and train for it. Also the last books I read on the trail indicate that many sections are not well marked and in some sections there are optional routes. It is bound to be your best adventure yet.
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Thank you Dave for your kind words. From what I’ve read about the CDT you are spot on with your advice. It is a trail that requires a lot more skill and planning. I hope that our planning is up to the task.
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So looking forward to the spectacular scenery along the Larapinta Trail. How fantastic.
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Yay, I just have to start planning it soon.
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