Hiking Log – Sweat

Hiking Log – Sweat

This is part 34 of excerpts from the trail log which was located on a New York portion of the Appalachian trail. For the post which explains this series, click here.  You can read all the previous hiking posts by clicking here.

Each new edition includes a quote from a hiker, along with this writer’s insight into what the person might have meant. Your interpretation may be different!

Following is my selection of this week’s thoughts of a hiker(s).

8-17-18

Proud to add another few drops of sweat to these pages.

August 17, 2018 was a hot Friday. The temperatures reached the upper 80s, and the humidity exceeded 70%.  High humidity makes the air feel even warmer than it actually is, so this summer day probably felt as though it were in the 90s. Humidity also slows down the evaporation process, since the water on your body has nowhere to evaporate to. So you feel even hotter and wetter. It’s harder to breath and move around on a day such as this one. People with asthma have a higher risk of breathing issues. The air is stagnant.

On days such as these, it’s not just humans who struggle. If you’ve ever visited a game farm or zoo on a hazy, hot and humid summer day, you will see little movement. Many of the animals will be plopped under a tree, motionless. Occasionally a tail will move to swat away a fly or bee, but even that seems to be done in a lethargic manner. Animals that aren’t under a tree are standing still or in the water. So all living beings struggle.

But our hiker was in motion. He was the only person to sign into the trail log this day, compared to the day before when at least 21 people passed this book. He did not indicate if he was a day hiker or was hiking the entire (or a section of) trail. I’m sure his clothes were clinging to him and his face was flushed with heat and exertion. I’m also sure he was moving slower than normal and drinking more than typical. Our hiker, though, did not make mention of any of that with his short journal entry. Instead he said he was proud to add a few drops of sweat to these pages. What a show of strength, determination and resilience! This hiker has my admiration.

Until next time, happy trails!