Nearly 3 weeks ago Tischer and I were dropped off at the northern end of the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) just a short distance from Canada. Ahead of us lay 205 miles of wild trail following the rugged ridge line above Lake Superior back down to the town of Two Harbors. After that, to fully finish a thorough thru-hike of the trail, 40 more miles waited for us throughout Duluth.
As my friend Billy turned my truck around and left us standing at the edge of the trail, Tischer bolted after him as he drove our "home" up the rural gravel road. It was windy and chilly on that day, and I was a mix of thoughts and feelings. And then we started hiking.
I had given us 3 weeks to finish the trail, not knowing how fast I would travel on average or how my body and mind would handle it. Tischer was also a bit of a wild card. Turns out we traveled faster than I would have thought, though in hindsight it makes perfect sense.
Counting that first full day, September 14, we spent 16 days on trail until walking into the outskirts of Two Harbors. That also includes 2 days of rest of relaxation where we didn't walk at all. One day was spent in Lutsen with friends visiting from Japan. The other was spent waiting for my brother and Billy (and my resupply) along the Beaver River.
My original plan was to hike from Two Harbors along highway 61, over 20 miles, down to Duluth to finish the trail. As the trip went on I realized how painful walking any distance on pavement is on my feet and legs. After contemplating the idea over days, I finally decided to catch a ride between the towns.
Thus, as I left the northern section of trail, heading roadside towards downtown Two Harbors on Monday the 29th of September a green jeep pulled up next to me. Behind the wheel sat a guy who had just tried completing a thru-hike as well but ran into some knee issues and was forced to pull-out. He gave me a lift to Betties Pies where I had planned on a slice of fresh pie.
He joined me there and we sat for over an hour discussing long distance hiking and the like. Then he insisted on buying my serving as a small way of passing on the good fortune he's been handed over the years. After dropping me off at Gitchee Gummee Park on the north end of Dtown, I waited for Billy to arrive with my truck. I spent the next two days completing the 40 miles of trail through town.
The finishing touches came yesterday around 5:30PM when I strolled into Jay Cooke State Park. 250+ miles in 18 days. I've got more posts to put up regarding this adventure. Random numbers, stories, thoughts, ideas, and pictures-about 600 to be exact.
I'll rest my feet, which seem to be the most sore of any other body part. I've already mixed a stiff drink, and that's aside from the beers I had last night. The missing pieces are everywhere.
2 comments:
Congrats on completing your walk bro. Although, I have to say, calling us your friends from japan, makes us sound a bit more exotic then we really are. At least I think so... maybe we are that exotic? who knows...
Oh yes, you are that exotic. Speaking of which-was that great timing or what?!
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