Sheltowee Trace Section 1

As we prepared to step onto the Sheltowee Trace at the Northern Terminus in Morehead, KY, I wondered if I was really prepared for the weather.  It was snowing, sleeting and the wind was bitter cold.  My shelter for the night was to be an 8 foot by 10 foot nylon tarp.  I was confident I made the right choice on Thursday when I stuffed it into my pack but I was second guessing myself now.  Everyone was slinging their packs on their backs and I was trying to gauge if I had brought enough food, water and clothing for the weekend.  After all we were getting ready to walk 26 miles in the snowy forest.  All of my pre-hike jitters subsided as I walked into the forest.  It was like all of the worlds worries had been stripped from me.  My only concerns now were staying warm, hydrated and injury free.   

As the 10 brave souls began the hike, we all found our own pace.  I was a little slower than the three in front of me but a little faster than the 6 behind me.  I hiked for several hours alone with only my thoughts.  I didn't see or hear anyone.  The only evidence that anyone was in the forest were the tracks in the snow that I was following.  My pace settled in around 2 miles per hour which was comfortable considering the icy, snow covered trail.

As we approached camp on Saturday night my feet were tired and my left knee was needing some down time.  I pitched my tarp and got everything ready for a night in the forest.  My little cook pot was put into service and performed without a hitch.  In about 8 minutes I had two cups of boiling water for my meal of Ramen Noodles and Salmon.  The carbs and protein hit the spot!

I slept good and stayed warm all night.  I chose to sleep in my clothes so I would be warmer during the night and it makes getting out of a warm sleeping bag into 25 degree weather much easier.  I skipped breakfast, packed my gear and was on the trail in 20 minutes.  As I walked, I snacked on peanut M&M's, a Cliff Bar and some GU energy gel.  Around noon we stopped for a quick lunch.

The last 4 miles were all hills.  Short steep ups and downs.  One after another!  Billy Sherlin had a sore knee and was limping along in pain.  This guy gets the 110% award in my book.  You could see the pain on his face but it was behind a smile.  A rough day on the trail but well worth it.

I met some really interesting people and look forward to the next hike with them.  Steve and Karen Barbour made this experience possible by organizing and supporting the hike.

There are two hikes per month on the Sheltowee Trace, Team 1 and Team 2.  You can join in for a weekend hike if you want. Just contact Steve Barbour at the link below.  You can also contact me and I'll help you get signed up and geared up. 

More info about The Sheltowee Trace Hikers Challenge can be found at http://www.sheltoweetrace.org