It started off super well, right
on track, at a good clip. Then it all went very wrong, very quickly, much faster
than we thought. We tackled CP 6-7 on Tuesday. The last 16km. 84km knocked off previously with no major drama. Got all the initial
connections right; dropped off the car,
got the first train, bus, bus etc. Made lots of local friends along
the way. Ness slamming it out at the gym to give Verdi some much-needed time out of the rain meant it was just the two of us again... out on the road. Enjoying ourselves like always...
Started the walk peppered with beautiful rain forests, streams, trim green tea
fields, wildflowers. About 6km in all going well…then we second guessed
ourselves; doubled-back, took a wrong turn and ended very much off course.
Which is when the rain bucketed down, the fog rolled in and we are sure the
mystical mountain men all dressed in white we passed put some wacky curse on us.
Whatever. This day was ridiculous and endless. We had our iPhone. It knew
where we were even if we didn’t. Cold, miserable rain. Mud and tears. ITB pain. Rain gear not
waterproof. Damn anoraks. Dee’s phone, dead. Wick-away shirts…not made for the deluge. Made the decision to head back, the way we came. Better the devil you know (Kyles on the ipod). Did so.
Met our new
friends HAPPY CLOBAL – they only other team we met en-psycho-route. They looked
so dry and well, happy. We must have been quite the bedraggled sight. Of
course missed the last bus. And had to hike another hour down to Sekimoto. All
in all, probably more than 38km of horror. Frozen, despite layers, finally made
it to civilization. Toweled off in the local karaoke loo. The most fabulous
taxi driver took us back to our car. He wasn’t at all disturbed by our sopping appearance, just made us sit on big
plastic bags protecting his lace car covers. Warm and toasty never felt so good.
Slightly
traumatized by this whole debacle. Sure, there was a steep learning curve…don't follow random pink markers, check your gear is actually water repellent, take more than one head lamp...etc. Our Survivor dreams are on hold. Why can’t we just
walk around the Imperial Palace 20 times? Will get back on the trailwalker pony
– in good weather – and do it all again very soon. Until then big deep breaths,
2 weeks to go.
Pre & Post lostness...(will catalogue the middle bit...next time...)
Today's walking inspired track:
Walking in the Rain -The Ronettes
Today's walking inspired quote:
I love walking in the rain, 'cause then no-one knows I'm crying. ~author unknown, but we'll vouch it's TRUE.
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