We gathered with our fellow hikers and began our ascent. Our trusty leader, Michael, had planned a long scenic route for us—the most challenging trails up and long winding trails down through old growth forest carpeted in lush moss totaling 10 miles and avoiding the crowds. It was gorgeous! My daughter and I both reveled in the challenge of the steep rocky climb up Spellman—what a blast! I think we both smiled the whole way up! We did have to do some coaxing and guiding for one of our new hiker friends who was a bit slower, but we enjoyed taking our time under the guise of waiting for her.
After a nice break and some photo ops at the summit, we headed down the mountain joking and having fun about the proper way to pronounce the word "crevasse." (It must be the altitude, because I get punchy up there sometimes!) We weren't far below the tree line when I started noticing my daughter really slowing down. Stepping very carefully and wincing a bit with each step. Oh yes...remember the new shoes? Well they had been fine all day and I assumed we were out of the woods, so to speak, as far as having to deal with any break-in period, but no such luck. Even after tightening up her laces to keep her feet from sliding to the front as much as possible, it became painfully obvious that there was not enough toe room in her new shoes. Ugh! Here we were 5 miles up a mountain with only one way to get down—hike 5 miles down.
So, since you have never met my daughter, I will give you a bit of history. She's badass. When she was 3, she had to get stitches in her face after a "collision" with our dog's mouth—while waiting in the ER, with a hole through her cheek, she insisted she was fine and just wanted to go home. In high school, after being told of the tragic death of a friend right before having to play a big volleyball game, she collapsed in tears for a few minutes then realized she couldn't let her team down and pulled herself together to play her best set ever, then broke down again as soon as it was over.
Well, my daughter pulled some kind of amazing inner strength out that day to make it down the mountain one excruciating step after another. I will save you any more of the details except to say that once we finally made it back to the car, she gingerly removed her shoes and socks to reveal her big toenail had split across the middle and had ripped almost entirely off!
Yes, she's badass, but I knew that before we went up that mountain. What I did learn was:
1—Always get expertly fitted when buying new hiking shoes.
2—Be prepared with exit strategies especially when trying new gear. In our case it would have helped if we had a plan for an alternate/shorter route down; packed the old shoes as spares; and brought a knife to cut the toes off her new shoes.
Live and learn, right?
So, I'm sure you would expect that our big trip to the White Mountains that next weekend was cancelled. Well, even after totally traumatizing her toes, my badass daughter was insistent on not canceling! So a few days later, we went to Eastern Mountain Sports where we spent about an hour with Cindy—saleswoman/shoe guru—who diligently fit her properly with some awesome new shoes. (Salomon's for those of you wondering!) That weekend, we conquered our first 4,000 footers together with smiles on our faces! A trip we will always remember!
@AppTrials: All about shoes, arguably the most important piece of gear you'll take with you. http://t.co/pwfbIScxSt
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