GET: Plans & Recent Injury

My intention is to start the GET at the First Water TH in the Superstitions in mid-March 2018 and hike to the Brandenburg Ranger Station and Aravaipa Canyon western TH. Mrs. Haze will pick me up and we take a few weeks off for family obligations. I will then resume the trail by mid-April and finish at Sandia Peak in late May.

This hike will be, perhaps, my most lonely and remote trail. No official count but an estimated 15-20 hikers per year start the trail. Many thru-hikers hike the entire trail without seeing another thru-hiker. Resupply on small towns and water sources will also be more challenging. Looking at a possible resupply cache off Klondyke Road to break up a long haul to Safford, AZ. Looks like the Sawyer water filter will be busy for most water sources, especially in cow country.

I will be hitting some high country in the spring, ten times over 10,000 ft elevation. Unpredictable for weather and temperatures, but judging by my experience on the CDT, will be bringing some warm layers.

Regarding my injury, I was playing tennis three weeks ago and pushed off hard on my right foot. I immediately felt a popping/snapping sensation and pain along the right edge of my foot below the ankle. With the pain and swelling, I knew I had torn or stretched something so got into a local orthopedic clinic. The doc ruled out the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia (good) but after being very specific on what happened and where it hurts, he said it could be a torn peroneal tendon (bad). The peroneal tendons run side by side just behind the ankle. He said to come in and get an ultrasound if still bothering me in a few weeks.

I made an appointment with a podiatrist two weeks out and wore a walking boot for a week. The swelling went down and pain subsided but didn’t go away. I still felt weakness and hesitancy to push off. A few days before my appointment, I was able to resume short walks. The podiatrist confirmed a diagnosis of peroneal tendon subluxation, a condition in which the tendons snap out of place. The fact that I have a history of sprained/rolled ankles and pretty severe supination supported her diagnosis. Apparently this condition was first described in the early 1800’s and was seen primarily in ballerinas (I don’t dance much) but now more common with skaters, skiers, basketball players and now ….. long distance hikers. The condition is generally the result of prolonged, repetitive athletic activities or ankle inversion injuries. Ouch, both apply to me. Orthotics have been ordered that will help with arch support and supination. Otherwise it’s not pushing it too hard too fast.

So I am still hoping for the best in being able to get on the trail in mid-March, I’m also hoping we get some desert rain my then!