Backpacking Injuries and Summit Fever: LESSONS from the Tahoe Rim Trail

[@cgoodson2010]

Oh, no! Ouch! Thank you for your immensely helpful videos! I'm 67 and finally able to work toward my lifetime dream of completing the AT. Speedy recovery! ❤

[@lisayanase7648]

I am inspired by your insight and look forward to learning your progress and how you overcome not only the physical but the emotional/mental barriers to getting back out. I broke my tib/fib and ruptured the syndesmosis skiing this year, 6 weeks short of my 60th (after fussing at my hubby for not taking me on “the fun stuff “ since I was feeling strong.) My first thought was “I better be able to do my planned backpacks this summer!” I have made that goal successfully with some minor adjustments, but now am facing some hesitation about the upcoming ski season. It will happen, but I have some things to work through…I love seeing women getting out there! Thank you for sharing your adventures and knowledge!

[@lesliesnyder2998]

I've been following your hike around Lake Tahoe with interest and was sad to see how it ended. As painful as it probably was to admit defeat, I really appreciate your openness and honesty. I'm 51 and an avid hiker, but its been ages since I've been on a backpacking trip. I want to get back on the trail and you are truly an inspiration. It's refreshing to see someone else who struggles and has their share of difficulties, but keeps trying. I know this won't be the end of the trail for you. Keep doing your PT and get stronger for next year.

[@Midimoho]

So glad you shared this and it’s not torn. I’m really learning a lot from your shared experiences. Rest up!

[@JoyfulRambler]

Thank you! Will do!

[@TheHikingChick1]

I know what it's like to be sidelined by an injury or health issues. My plans for 2024 were shot. I love everything you said about starting slow and taking more time. I'm 61, and listening to our bodies just gets more and more important as the years go by. Heal well and don't rush it. Thank you for being candid and sharing your experiences. 🌻💛

[@glenndorsey9068]

Some advice from a 75 year old backpacker in the Southern Appalachians. The best way to continue backpacking into old age is to quit setting unrealistic expectations. This is not a competition!! Hiking when you are tired is a sure path to sloppy technique and injury. Stop and take a nap in the sun (or shade), watch the birds, study the wildflowers, and relax in camp. Stop early,start late, or just take the day off. 170 miles in two weeks with any kind of elevation gains is asking for problems for “older” hikers unless you can honestly say you are in tip top shape.

[@jetv1471]

Ty ! Good to know

[@adelevickers2120]

Thanks for the honesty and reflections on what maybe you would do differently on another hike. I have just torn 2 ligaments in ankle Grade 3 tears,- long recovery.( didnt do it hiking!). At 71 I take extra time and many rest days, and had to change my headspace to enjoy each day Im out there, and let go of goals such as finishing a trail in a certain time frame. Its hard to do as our culture is all about achieving goals, not enjoying the process.

[@JoyfulRambler]

I’m sorry about your injury. Sounds terribly painful.I hope it heals quickly!

[@Rachel-h3n]

Thankyou for your authenticity and sharing. Speedy recovery for you ❤❤❤

[@Mtnsunshine]

So,so sorry the injury happened. 😢. It is totally understandable to feel sad about it, but I am impressed with how you see it also as a learning experience, physically and emotionally. That is always positive. None of us will get through life unscathed, and you are generous in sharing your experience with us. As you said, going through your divorce changed your perspective on things (same experience for me, too). Hearing what you went through on the trail hopefully makes us all more empathetic. I am sending you all the healing thoughts I can!

[@EvaNichols28]

Thank you so much for sharing your hikes and your thoughts and reflections. I’m in Truckee and will be happy to help you out when you come out again to finish. Wishing you speedy and complete recovery.

[@JoyfulRambler]

Thank you!!

[@CC58]

I had to give up hiking at 62 due to a hip injury, but discovered bicycles. They are low impact on flat paved trails such as rail trails or river trails. I just finished 120 miles round trip of the Silver Comet Trail done in 9 sections. Alltrails has lists of bike trails around the country. Riding a hybrid bicycle has opened new adventures to me. Something to consider, if it comes to that.

[@jetv1471]

Way to go ! Like a Marine : adapt and overcome 👍👍

[@andrewhikesandclimbs5470]

I am not only a hiker and a backpacker, but I am also a climber and a jogger at age 50. I had a knee injury this year. I wonder if it was the same thing that happened to you. I have no idea how it happened because I never felt anything, and it likely happened during an inactive day. I woke up one morning and my knee was all swollen and I couldn't bend it or put weight on it. I did get x-ray at urgent care, which was inconclusive, and I didn't go to any specialist. It probably took me about two months to recover completely. Unfortunately, my plans of backpacking, hiking and climbing had to be put on hold. I am back to running and hiking now. I look forward to climbing next year. When I go backpacking, I generally do a week and I'll hike hard, but I deliberately put a couple low milage days in the middle. I find that the first few days is usually the hardest for me, and it becomes easier on my body in the middle of the week. I also deliberately schedule a couple low mileage days in the middle for a mild recovery. On a multi-week trip, I'll try to go to the car/city in the middle to shower and rest and then I'll go back out. You should just go back next year; the trail will still be there. I hope you heal quickly and thanks for posting your video!

[@cottontalesfromthetrail5474]

Joey, there are many ways to look at this event. I believe you did the right thing by pushing forward. Now you know you did physically everything possible to finish and you can be satisfied you gave it your all. Anyone could have turned around and went back to Tahoe City, but you my friend pushed yourself to your limits and beyond. So, well done and we are never too old to learn a new lesson or be reminded of an old one. Much love to you, Andy and Forest from your Alabama boys Sniper and Too Many!

[@RaaRaaSeattle]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience 🙏 I’m so sorry this happened but truly it is helpful hearing from you about your experience and how you got out of it. I just exited a 3-night plan with a friend after one night due to an injury she sustained on trail and we decided it was not wise to continue. Fortunately we had a relatively easy egress at that point. (If we had continued we would not have.) I’m a contingency planner. I’ve always got plans A, B, and C 😂. Your story just adds to my toolkit. I so appreciate you sharing your stories and experiences. We learn more from failures than successes so I very much appreciate the strength of vulnerability you’ve shown to share yours. Heal quickly and be well. ❤

[@ms.debourghofrosings6829]

I’ve had to be careful re: the knees on my hikes. I used to be very heavy 20 years ago… going downhill is usually slower than uphill for me, at least on steep trails.

[@loslofutura]

Glad to see the debrief. I really enjoy your videos. I do have to say that from the very beginning with the stomach issues you were having, you didn't seem to be enjoying this hike as much as others you have done. It seemed like everything felt much harder. Tahoe is beautiful and hopefully you can come back and give yourself a little more time to enjoy it.

[@richardross7219]

There seems to be more trail injuries this year than in previous years. Heal fast. Happy Trails. Good Luck, Rick

[@marlenefrench8812]

I am so sorry for your injury. Hopefully you can get back to it soon! Love you channel!

[@JoyfulRambler]

Thank you!

[@williamwadejr5302]

Hindsight is 20/20. I’ve watched some of your posts and it’s not your first rodeo. Nobody knows what you are capable of other than you and God. You were on a great hike, good weather, nice scenery, a nice time with schedule constraints. I’d have made the same decisions you did. This will pass and next time you’ll be more prepared. For me age has been humbling, I’ve had to accept things that I really didn’t want to but it is what it is. It shows a lot that you are sharing this. It tells a lot about your character that you are trying to help people, to keep them from making the same mistakes. Rest up and happy trails!😎

[@JoyfulRambler]

Thank you!

[@angiebee598]

Did you get an MRI?

[@JoyfulRambler]

No, they decided I didn’t need one because it was responding to treatment (after about two weeks of minimal progress). If I hadn’t started improving, that was the next step.

[@rockytopwrangler2069]

.. Yes, an MRI will show what a standard x-ray won't .... I had a slip and fall in a ditch almost 3 years ago ,, something popped ,, have since gone to different DRS ,, x-rays ,,2 MRI's ,,,waiting on surgery ... shows torn meniscus along with other issues ,, getting run around to keep sucked into administration games to draw money's from insurance ,,, Health care isn't what it used to be .. Not being able to backpack with limited quality of life planned for retirement was not in my plans ...

[@showdogmissy]

@@JoyfulRambler If things go back to hurt after resuming your hikes, DEMAND and MRI.