It seems like now is a good time for an update, and I’m sorry to say that it isn’t going to be a super fun one. I decided over the past several days that it was a good decision for me to get off the trail. I’ll explain my reasoning, but I want everyone to know that I wouldn’t have made this decision unless I truly thought it was the best for my well-being. I’m sure many of you wanted me to finish just as much as I did, and I feel bad about that. Again, it was a tough call, but I’m at peace with my decision.
About three days before a friend and I arrived in South Lake Tahoe I started getting symptoms of giardiasis. It wasn’t pretty, overall I’d say it was a shitty situation (pun intended). When we got into town I new I wanted to take a zero day to evaluate how I felt. The next day I didn’t feel any improvement so I went to see a doctor. There they decided that giardiasis was the likely culprit and prescribed me with an anti protozoan that would take care of things. I still felt pretty week at the time so my Dad came up and we went car camping. We did a bit of fishing and made some good food and I thought my appetite was coming back. After several days off in the comfort of an air mattress and hot food, I decided to get back on trail.
I want to emphasize how significant a loss of appetite is to a thru-hiker. I’m no doctor, but it’s pretty well known that when thru-hikers put their body through such a caloric deficit, our metabolisms go crazy. It’s called “hiker hunger” and it always seemed to hit me particularly hard. Ask anyone who’s been in town with me, I can put down a lot of food! That’s what it’s like when I’m healthy. When I got into South Lake Tahoe I did not want to eat. I tried to eat a burger with my friend, it was his birthday after all, and I did not feel good. After the doctor trip I only felt ok after eating liquid foods or bland food. My weight dropped another 10 lbs from where I usually level out on trail, so I knew I wasn’t eating enough. So when my Dad came up to take some days off with me I knew I needed to start eating again. It seemed like things were going well until I went back on trail. Maybe it was the exertion or altitude, but I quickly went back to not wanting to eat my food. I was cold soaking half the amount of food I normally do, and I could only eat half of that, needing to burry the rest. It was pretty clear to me that if I was going to stay on trial I would continue to lose weight as well as my energy.
In the evenings I was always looking forward to getting in my tent, and in the mornings I loathed getting out of my warm quilt. Feeling low energy just wasn’t a good mix for what I knew was about to come. The high sierra were going to even colder, and mixing that with precipitation just didn’t seem like a good time.
The High Sierra have always been the section of PCT I was looking forward to the most. Rather than the possibility of a really terrible time, I decided to postpone my hike. The trail isn’t going anywhere soon, and I’d rather hike it with the same enthusiasm I had approaching the Sierra. Again, I want to reiterate how this was the best decision for me, I wouldn’t have made this call if I felt differently. It was a challenging decision, and I think I learned something from it. Sometimes you need to listen to your body, and throw your ego aside.
-Orion
Sounds like the best decision based on the circumstances. You’ll be back in the Sierras before you know it! Perhaps you can join me on a thru on the Arizona Trail starting in late February! Take care bud.
Soccrosse
I’m glad to hear you’re making this very wise desicion. You only get one body per lifetime, protecting it is crucial. I hope this means you’ll come home and let us help you nurture back your health and strength. This is not “failing” it’s being smart – the trail will be there for you in the future if you want it but it is possible to break your body beyond repair. You’re making the right desicion
Calum, I’m so sorry to learn you’ve taken ill! GI probs on the more remote PCT would be not just miserable but potentially disastrous. This definitely seems the correct (healthy, wise, mature) call, however disappointing it may have seemed at the time. Rest, heal & EAT during your hiatus, return stronger. I’m so glad Pete was able to ease the transition, & hope you’ll be feeling better soon.
Thank you for sharing your adventures (& occasional misadventures) w/ us, your loyal following. You write beautifully, & it’s a vicarious thrill to imagine hiking alongside. Now I can thrill to the knowledge of your returning health, before the next chapter.
Evie
Calum, we just talked to Jenny now and she told us of your not feeling well, and your dad’s visit to you. This is a really wise decision-as others have written, the trail will still be there and you’ll continue on when the time is right! We wish you all the best!
Love, Aunt Mary and Uncle Ted
totally the right thing to do. Glad you listened to your body. Hope we get to see you sometime soon. Big hugs and love, jen
Dear Calum,
We know that it was a tough decision to delay your Trek through the High Sierras, but it shows your maturity and intelligence in making the correct decision. Get your health in order and rest up. We are so very proud of you. Love, Fuz & Muz