Now I understand why people say ‘attempting a thru hike’. There is no guarantee you are going to make it, period. So many temptations, injuries oh and the mind games.
Once in town it is very hard to not want to stay….for awhile. The comforts of food, shower’s, and well, clean water make it tough to hike on. Momentarily I am taking a nero (short mile day) in Wrightwood, this place is great…..they have water and stuff!
There are so many people off the trail already due to injuries, blisters, shin splints, hips…you name it. So thankful every day my body is holding up, for now.
Now the mind games….walking for hours with nothing to do but think, well it can be tricky. Without all the things to distract you like work , tv, computers, people….your mind is going there. Sometimes it’s rough, I call it trail therapy.
wandering chardonnay 
Hey Elsye! BTW I’m having a blast living vicariously through your blog! I am curious as to how many people you actually encounter each day while on the trail. Is it fairly busy (I read there are a record number of people attempting this year) or is everyone spread out well enough? Keep the posts coming and good luck!
Yeah, there was a record number of permits this year, but I have not experienced that impact. There have been days when I’ve only seen two people in whole 18 mile day an then you camp alone. But then other days there is like 10 people in camp you didn’t see all day.(I’m like where did they come from) Solitude has not been a problem nor has been finding a small crew to hike with occasionally!
Great article thanks! Medicines aren’t the solution. Many people takes a lot of ibuprofen to cure their shin splints, but when the effect is vanished the pain comes back more intense!