Way to go, Grace! Nice trip report. Your method of acclimating really helped.
It is amazing that you did this on the hip replacements. I can't recommend enough that you try to get some lighter gear. Doing that will enable you to keep on hiking.
So now we have Harvey Lankford who hikes with an artificial knee, and you with the hips. That holds out hope for many.
Keep on hiking, and keep on writing!
