The most physically exhausting experience I’ve ever had in my life was undoubtedly reaching the summit of Mount Whitney last summer. It was the middle of the night, I had been breaking trail through fresh snow for miles at high altitude, and I probably should have had more to eat and drink beforehand. Though in many ways the mental challenge of consciously willing my shivering and energy-depleted muscles to continue to push on, was even harder. I could have turned back or set up camp below the summit at any time, but I fought to achieve my goal and refused to let my body quit on me. When it was over, and I had come down from the summit, I felt unstoppable. I craved for the opportunity to top myself, to push the envelope of what I was capable of, and wondered when that day would come. Last week, while hiking through the swamps in Big Cyprus National Preserve, I got that opportunity, but this time the mental maelstrom lasted for nearly 72 straight hours.
This week, instead of writing a lengthy post about my experience, I have simply created a video slideshow through the following YouTube link. In this way, you can witness the difficulties of tromping through swampland firsthand. Enjoy!
Watch the Swamp Video on YouTube!
My feet were looking pretty nasty after these 3 days of sucking my feet out of deep mud, so I took a day off at the Big Cyprus RV Resort, and had a wonderful time during my recovery. I got to jam with a couple from Canada, play mini golf, have hot showers and wifi access, and had an entire chickee to myself!
Hammocking in a Chickee in Seminole Campground and RV Park
First Person View from Hammocking in a Chickee in Seminole Campground and RV Park