AT Happiness: On the Trail Again

So it’s been almost a week since I’ve been on the trail.  My 21 mile slack pack went well on my knees, but ended in a skin rash on my legs.  This has happened on every day I’ve hiked over 20 miles.

The likely cause is either heat rash or the supposed hypoallergenic merino wool is irritating my legs once my liner socks get wet.

The rash has cleared up and I’ve bought a couple of pairs of cool max socks.  So on my next 20 mile day if it happens again then it’s definitely heat rash and I’ll need to hike in my liner socks or stop during the day and powder my feet and let my socks dry out.

So physically I’m doing well, my knees are ok, not great but functional. I’ll do 40 miles over the next three days. Then take a few days off to visit DC and start moving north again at the southern end of the Shenandoah National Park.

Since Springer Mountain in early March I’ve walked about 430 miles and skipped ahead about 60 miles of the trail to bring me to mile 490.  It’s been wonderful, hard, and I’ve met some amazing people. I look forward to being back on the trail and many more happy days my friends.  – Rev Kane