Backpacking with Pain and Mobility Issues?
First, I want to say sorry for the long post, I have a lot on my mind. Second, I'm not looking for anyone to join my pity party, just some understanding from people who love backpacking like I do.
I feel like this community would understand how I feel. I feel shitty/sad/depressed (pick a word about being down) because I feel like I have already backpacked my last trail, especially in the wilderness. I say this because of the pain and mobility issues that have started taking over my life. I said this to my wife and she does not understand why I'm so upset.
I had back surgery 6 weeks ago, not a fusion, but I was told to take it easy. Then I went on a tour of the Vikings stadium and I thought it was a great idea to kick a ball and I hurt my leg to the point that it is very hard to walk without having to stop a lot to let the pain subside a little bit. I thought I would be ok to kick the ball, but I over did it after walking for nearly 2 hours. Since then all I hear is, "you're not young anymore, you can't do the things you used to do when you were younger". I am only 42, but my body feels much older...and well I'm in pain all the time.
My favorite thing to do was go backpacking in the back country. Never did massive mountains (except in Scouts with my oldest son) or destination backpacking (which I really wanted to do, like Iceland), but I loved the backpacking I did do. I have backpacked many miles over the many years of my life and I know how taxing it is on your body when you do it. Doing the Appalachian trail (the closest destination to where I live) takes effort and endurance that I just don't have anymore.
I know I can hike small easy trails to get some of the views and nature I crave when I backpack, but it's not the same to me.
First, there are too many people on those trails and the peacefulness I would get in the back country is extremely limited.
Second, a large percentage of those people I cross paths with out there have zero trail etiquette and they ruin things for me (and my family) when I come across them. Not all people are like that and I teach my kids proper trail etiquette, but those others.
Finally, part of the fun of backpacking (for me) was pushing myself up an incline and through the miles to get the great and wonderful views.
So...what can I do? Has anyone in here dealt with severe chronic pain and/or mobility issues and were able to either get back on the trails in the wilderness or found a way to still get the things you craved while backpacking without being able to backpack?
Sorry for the long post. Here is one of my favorite pictures from the trail. I was in wilderness therapy and we spent an hour alone listening to everything around us.
Edit for description of picture: I was in the mountains just outside Aspen Colorado for a Wilderness Therapy trip with Huts for Vets. This was one of the last days out there and we had to find a secluded spot (but still in sight of the staff) to sit for an hour in our own thoughts. I chose this spot because I love Quaking Aspens and I saw a hummingbird (my grandmother's favorite bird) land on a branch near me and "look at me".