Day 7: Dunkeroo Takes an Arrow to the Knee

Starting Point: Low Gap Shelter (43.0)

Ending Point: Unicoi Gap (52.7)

Total Miles: 9.7 miles

Steps: 29,249

Achievements: Blue Mountain

Woke up and was off by 8 a.m.  Our goal was to camp on the top of Rocky Mountain, over 11 miles away.  We met up with Blaze and John who have been hiking roughly the same pace as us.

Blaze is a retired paramedic and fireman from Connecticut.  John is a retired physical therapist.

They were only going to Unicoi Gap, so we weren't likely to see them again.

Dunkeroo and my goal was to hike 11+ miles to get us close to Dick's Pass on Friday.  There are thunderstorms expected, so it would be a good day to resupply and do laundry.  (Maybe shower, maybe not. jk)

As we were climbing down some boulders, Dunkeroo was really struggling.  He has some IT Band issues that John taped up for the easy price of a Dunkeroo. (A sugary treat that the One And Only Dunkeroo carries and is named after )

He told me he was fine and to pass so I did.

I kicked up the speed and hiked ahead.  Blaze also increased his pace.  I can feel my hiker legs kicking in.

I got to a trail junction and it seemed like a good time to rest and wait for everyone.  Blaze was first.  About ten minutes later John came.  Still no Dunkeroo.  Eventually Blaze went back to find him.  Alas, the pain was much worse.

Change of plans.  We'd hike the four miles to Unicoi Gap and take the shuttle into Haiwassee for a zero.  It was a long hike.  He did have the best search and rescue crew you could have -- a physical therapist, a first responder, and a pastor.  Whatever would happen, he was covered.

Assessing the situation, it looks like Iliotibial band syndrome, the bane of thru hikers.  The question is it just sore and tired or an injury.

We checked in to a Holiday Inn Express, and in the hiker box I found a treking pole.  Dunkeroo only carried one.  It is a mismatch, but he has a pair now. We also picked up a knee brace.

I enjoyed my first the hamburger on trail.  It was excellent!  (So, a physical therapist, a paramedic and a pastor walked into a bar...)

He'll spend the day RICE'ing (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate) it.  The injury often takes four to eight weeks to heal.  There is some swelling, but not a lot.  Hopefully, a brace, some Vitamin-I, and slowing down will make it tolerable.  Otherwise, he's looking at 4-to-8 weeks off trail until it heals on its own.

It is a little early for a zero for me, but I enjoy Dunkeroo's company.  Some rest will surely do me good.