My Stubbornness may be my Downfall

I was so grateful to get in and out of Seiad Valley before the fires started.
I found the climb, SOBO, in the heat nonetheless, a bit grueling, but the wild blackberries along the way more than make up for it!

What was most-concerning of all was my foot.   By this point it was screaming for attention. It didn’t feel broken again; it felt more muscular. Yet, my gait was off. I was walking funny, and as a result, I started developing a nasty blister on my heel.

I just couldn’t catch a break  (terrible pun, or perfect one?)

I found myself having to stop often, not because of the physical exertion, but to re-tie my shoes; to add tape to the areas that were rubbing; to tape up the places on my foot that were aching (that seemed to mentally help).

Non-stop focus was on my feet, my one foot, in particular. The trail was rocky and/or burnt, so it wasn’t as if the terrain was contributing to my ease (I wouldn’t have wanted it to, anyway).  Suddenly, I am realizing how difficult NorCal is!  Elevation change galore; trail made up of rocks; burnt trees that look as though they’ll collapse with any hint of strong wind.  In the that stretch from Seiad to Etna, I understood why so many NOBOs have skipped the section; that’s what I heard from many I had spoke with. (Side-note, they have since HAD to skip due to fires.)

My push to get to Etna was so motivating, though. A double zero there would give me the rest I knew I needed.