When I started this trip, I had very little confidence that I would finish it. Honestly, when I was boarding the flight from Bellingham to San Diego, I admitted I thought I would be back within the week. Might be surprising to hear that if you understand how much planning and preparation when into this five month backpacking trip. With my knees and ankles all having been well used and abused for the past 30+ years, I thought it unlikely they would stand up to an average of 20 miles a day, for days upon days upon days, especially with not enough calories, water, or rest.
And yet, here we are. Over three weeks in and fast approaching an entire month on the trail. Statistically this means I am extremely likely to finish the entire Pacific Crest Trail this year. Blows my mind a bit. Not only that, I seem to be doing significantly better health-wise than the average thru-hiker. Still, there have been issues.
My right knee (the one that had surgery last year and required 6 months of physical therapy just to get me on a bike again) has exceeded every expectation. There was a little soreness initially and it will never quite bend smoothly again thanks to the defect in my cartilage and the tendon scar tissue, but the damn thing has never had a single bad day. Let us hope this continues.
My left knee had an elastic knee brace on it for the first two weeks because I strained it the week before starting the trail while moving out of the apartment. However, that brace came off completely a few days ago and it survived without pain for over 50 miles. Yesterday it developed a tiny amount of pain again, so I think the brace will go back on for the next couple weeks with occasional breaks. Still, so far so good.
The legs are otherwise fine. Every thru-hiker has what we call the "hiker walk" in the first week. Sort of a cowboy stance hobble and the inability to walk in a straight line without a pack on. Your body is adjusting to the miles and the muscles are not pleased with the unending toil. Eventually they adapt and you only have that hobble after really hard days.
The feet. I have only met a single hiker who has not had foot issues. There was a girl with 15 blisters, mostly between her toes. Mudd had a blister about three inches long straight down the ball of his foot to his arch. It looked horrific and when he drained it, he could not walk another mile. But my feet are doing reasonably well. One blister the first week that was at the crease of the big toe and a few decent ones on my heels since then. Nothing that has not been manageable with a bit of duct tape and some blister pads. I can definitely see that my skin is becoming thicker and tougher with the miles. If I continue treating them well (change socks, air feet, protect hot spots), I am hoping in another couple weeks hot spots and blisters will be a memory.
Otherwise, the body seems healthy. Definitely have lost a bit of weight. I suspect in the 5-7 pounds range. Muscles in my chest are getting little to no exercise, so my skinny thru-hiker physique is coming along splendidly. Long, muscular hiking legs and strong shoulders from the pack and poles. Will likely be rubbish at biking, climbing, and swimming when I finish though. Sacrifices must be made in the name of adventure.