Day 52 | Achilles. Bed Bugs. Border Crossings. | 2024 Appalachian Trail Thru Hike

[@DartmoorPaul]

Really feel for you and hiking in the rain too. You are made of some tough stuff, Mosey and whist many of us would be filming what you are going through from a hotel having quit, you haven’t. You are filming this still banging out the miles on trail. THAT shows grit and determination ❤ If I say in therapy “but I should be….over this / better than etc” he always asks “Who’s SHOULD is that?” Should is a very judgmental (from someone else) remark. Be kind to yourself, give yourself and huge hug and pat on the back as it is YOU who are hiking the AT and if someone else can hike 26, good for them. But I just see a hiker and you are a darn good hiker 😊

[@mhelen7360]

Marissa, I love the way you keep it real by recording your evolving emotions and struggles. I'll never do the Trail, but your experiences are a good reminder that in real life things are often not as bad as they seem, and they will probably get better as time goes on. There are exceptions of course, but so often our “feelings” are the culprit. I'm sure your videos are helpful for prospective thru hikers watching. On a practical note, I hope that you have found a solution to the achilles problem, because physical pain definitely colors everything else going on in our life. It sounds like you probably have, from the way you have upped your mileage. Looking forward to the next video!

[@davejohnson4905]

Hey do you know how much the average person whines after doing a 16 mile day on there 51 day of the AT? None because average people can’t do 50 days on the AT much less 16 miles on it. Whine all you want just don’t even think of quitting. You got this.

[@lhamilton]

So happy to hear you were excited to get to Virginia, I hope you enjoy the hiking here as much as I do. I really appreciate your candidness when talking about the struggles you may have on the trail. What you are doing is hard, but you got it and you are doing awesome! Stay safe and happy trails!

[@amyfentress1]

You are doing great! Go at your own pace, flip if you need to and don’t beat yourself up. I’m glad you are sharing your real feelings. I hope the Achilles feel better soon. Sending you good healing vibes!

[@markviers998]

It's not whining, it's called venting, just something you would do/say to a hiking companion, which is us, just virtual. Congrats on finishing up TN, one more state done and in the books. Welcome to VA, my home state, hope your hike through here is a good one.

[@Elizabeth490]

So thankful for the update at the end! I felt so bad for you!

[@groemer9913]

So sorry you’re having pain. Hope you can find a way to relieve the issue. Do appreciate your keeping it real tho. So many of the you tube thru hikers just show all the good and none of the struggles. Hang tough and stay strong -- you’ve got this !

[@bittyboowalks-sk7hs]

Hope you’re feeling better & I’m praying for better days for you. God bless 😊

[@dajo2824]

Achilles pain is no joke. Tore my right Achilles 2 years ago. Now I stretch them daily. I hope yours start to feel better. I want to echo what many have said. Hike your pace. It’s not a race. Easy to say for us sitting at home on a couch. Glad you are doing better in Damascus. God speed. 🥾 (3:43. great views of the trail in your video)

[@pennywilliams841]

The rough days makes the good day even better 😊

[@joaniekay5600]

Mosey, I hike the Whites, 4000 footers every weekend and have been for years. I find multiple day hiking with bigger miles to be MUCH harder! There is much less time to recover. What you are doing is very hard on the body. Doing less miles and taking rest days is so important

[@CJoy076]

Glad to hear from time travellimg Mosey that things have improved.

[@sulj3373]

My son has OCD and compares and catastrophizes. I get it. So hard to get out of that mental space. Hope you find the right shoe. I think you could see fleas. Sounds like bedbugs. Congratulations on Virginia! I enjoy your updates at the end of your video. Nice to see you’re doing better. The hostel looks nice and great price.😊❤

[@dajo2824]

Thanks!

[@jhayft0703]

Kelly had to do a flip also, and she still finished!! You got this girl, I know you do!! Routing for you and I hope your feet are feeling better by now!

[@christineclark3462]

You're recording this for you, not us. Don't worry about what the viewers on the couch think; these recordings are for you to look back on and remember all the feels, good, bad, in-between. Hike your hike...you're doing amazing!!!

[@somerandomguy4149]

First off its not whining! just remember how many shoes where on the tree at neels gap you have made it so far into this. thos people couldn't even make it 3 or 4 days just to get to that point. Just hang in there girl your doing fine. One step at a time slow and steady.. I have definitely have been sending out prayers your way you have had a ruff couple of weeks. But I got feeling things are getting ready to turn around for you. In fact, I send out a prayer right now. Lord God, please heal rissa, and her Achilles lift her sprite up. And don't letter give up. Give her the strength to keep pushing forward and also protect her from any doubts she has of giving up. In Jesus' name, I pray amen 🙏 🙌. With that being said, to VA the green tunnel Just hang in there and try to get some Epson salt and soak your feet in as hot of water as you can possibly stand.

[@royferrissugarbear5306]

Hey it’s ok to slow down to let your body heal and who cares about what people say. You hike you is what I say. Bed bugs yup that hostel has them, I know of 3 other hikers that got them from there. Also bed bugs are hitch hikers so wash all cloths in hot and put sleeping bag in dryer. Also empty backpack and wash it Keep going your doing great - Sugar Bear 🐻🥾

[@donouellette6730]

Hang in slow down it might be your shoes. I sprained my ankles and had to get off trail. Been off for three weeks now. I got off at Rogers mountain headquarters. Hang in there

[@Tinkerplace]

"Each step makes a flower bloom under our feet." Thich Nhat Hanh Hopefully this will help buy KT tape or go towards a bunk ❤

[@micahforni5453]

You got this! Do what you can!

[@TheWinkingPigBarBQ]

Keep listening to your body, let it rule how far to push yourself, that's how you're going to win the "race" such as it is. If your body is telling you to take a zero day and you're at a camp or shelter and you have the food and water to do it, it might not be the worst thing in the world. Keep pushing as your body allows, you'll get there.

[@SheGoneAgain]

There is no reason you need to do 16 miles a day. You are having issues with your heel, so you need to listen to your body and not your head at this point. The pace you go it the pace you go. Take time to stop and smell the flowers.

[@countrycoffeehouse4319]

Nice self awareness on catastrophizing! "I would rather die than quit" is intense. Maybe evaluate that thought process? It's not a race. Yes slower takes more time but that's okay. I hope you know your health is important (I'm sure you do)

[@kathrynlitchfield7140]

Bedbug bites typically take a couple of days to develop. Flea Bites appear same-day. Both are hard to control in a hostel/hotel environment. Keep recording both your highs and your lows. It is inappropriate for folks to tell you to edit your experience to only present the “good.” Doing so would set poor expectations for future hikers.

[@jhayft0703]

Girl, you be whines all you want, you can tell us anything, and this is your video you do what you want . I will follow you along until you’re in Maine! Virginias longg! You got this keep going, you are strong, you are awesome, you will finish!

[@mars_hikes967]

These videos are delayed for weeks, so I hope that you came back from this low point in full force, stronger than ever. Comparing yourself to others is generally bad and nearly the beginning of quitting. I don't know if with Mojo you meant Molly Rose but comparing yourself with her for example would be pointless. It's like getting frustrated with your Tennis because you are not sure you could beat Mrs Williams. Or with your Climbing because Mr Honnold is just a little bit faster. Instead you may not be on the level of Mr Honnold but you know nobody near and far who even climbs the same severities. There is always somebody better, faster, has the bigger car in civilian life or whatever. You are on the AT and you hike, even for longer than 2 weeks and you made it to Damascus. This brings you already into the top 5 % of all AT hikers. You are not out there to do an FKT. I really hope everything is back to better, your shoes are comfy etc.

[@maika0395]

It's another Mojo. A girl Mosey's been hiking around.

[@jhayft0703]

I think the mojo she was talking about is the one with Tom. Not Molly rose with ziggy

[@lisab1312]

I think you have the wrong shoes. When you got the new ones I felt immediately like you were settling. I think you need to find an outfitter and really only get shoes that fit perfect! I have wide feet and have to wear a men’s extra wide.

[@davinadunn6955]

You are doing great 😊 Might want to change your shoes if your feet are giving you problems!

[@MargaretHuett]

See you can do it. 3 states down

[@black_dog_barks]

If Vit I is not your best friend it will be by the end of trail...lol

[@addictedtobass8232]

You should stretch your feet cakes and Achilles every night and morning. Wouldn't hurt to do it mid day either.

[@Hikealittle65]

Hyoh stop thinking you should be hiking some number of miles a day and take care of that acalies it will take you off trail one foot in front of the other will get you to maine don't beat yourself down😅

[@addictedtobass8232]

Also try topo pursuit 2 shoes