Going Plaid

Mile 853 to 1362

There is an allure to fastpacking. I learned about Scott Williamson before I hiked the PCT. It was amazing that there were hikers capable of doing consecutive 35-40 mile days, hikers capable of walking over 5000 miles in a summer, or even 10,000 in a year.

I began the PCT hiking 15 to 20 miles per day. As my pack weight dropped and I reached thru-hiker level fitness, I was able to push further. 15 went up to 20, then 25... 30 was very doable. 25 became comfortable. I did my first 40 mile day in Washington, and my first 50 in Oregon and California.

On the CDT, with a lower baseweight, I was able to push further more easily. I did my 50, I did a few 40s...

It becomes much easier with thru-hiker fitness, and a light pack. At first I thought 50 was this goal I could never reach. It fascinated me that people were capable of such things. But then when my pace quickened and nutrition improved, I learned that 50 could be done in daylight, 16 hours of walking just over three miles per hour could get a hiker 50 miles.

So with a 50 under my belt on the PCT and CDT, I had to try for one on the AT

The four state challenge is traditionally a 44 mile day from the border of Virginia and West Virginia, through Maryland, and into Pennsylvania. Myself and the woman with whom I am hiking, Ladybird had planned to go for it, long before we reached northern Virgina. And so after visiting Harper's Ferry WV, we backtracked to the border, and took off early the next morning.

The gruesome details can be found at www.trailjournals.com/sangabrielat on the date of June 23.

It takes more than physical endurance to accomplish such a feat. Almost anybody can walk. One can start at One mile per day, and with relentless progress, will reach high mileage. The mental aspect is much more challenging. To walk for 20 consecutive hours takes a meditative state a t time. It has only been through many miles that I have learned to turn my brain down to a dull hiss while I churn out miles in a zombie-like state.

It takes an even more brain dead state to walk for 30 hours.

Ladybird and I had considered the possibility of walking the length of the AT in New Jersey in 24 hours. I did walk the length, though it took almost 30 hours. See the entry for July 8 on my AT journal.

I had a very difficult time working through the intense fatigue. My body wanted sleep so bad that I staggered drunkenly at times, with only chocolate covered espresso beans to keep me upright. I actually blinked out while sitting on a rock but was relieved to find that only less than 10 minutes had passed.

72 miles is the realm of ultrarunners. Athletes who run upwards of 50 and 100 miles in a single race, typically in under 24 hours. I don't know if backpacking 72 in this terrain is possible with even a light backpacking pack. I think I could trim off two or three hours, but I don't know if I could trim off six.

The NJ72 sub 24 is still up for grabs. Let me know if you succeed. Requirements are to hike from the middle of the Delaware Water Gap I-80 bridge to the Register at the NJ/NY state line in a 24 hour stretch, unsupported. One must carry their typical thru-hiking gear and enough food to make it to whatever resupply they chose. Current known time is 29 hours 26 minutes.