Date: 2009-05-23
From: Syms Gap Meadow

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 16.4

Someone recently asked what a typical thru hiking day is like. It goes something like this... Tag-along and I usually wake up no later than 6:45. First, air mattresses are deflated. The decision to open that air mattress valve is always tough, as we are so warm and comfortable in our camp beds. Sleeping bags are jammed into stuff sacks, and gear bags are placed outside our Tarptent door.Tagless heads out to retrieve our food bags, which have been hanging from a tree all night to keep bears and critters away. While he is doing that, Tag-along works inside folding air mattresses and making sure that everything has been placed outside in two piles - his and hers.Soon nature calls, we either go to the privy, if one is available, or go into the woods and dig a 6 inch "cat hole".The Tarptent is folded up and packs are loaded. We consume our breakfast shakes (made the evening before) and then start walking. Typically we are hiking 45 minutes after deciding to get out of bed. This morning we started with a long climb and were totally sweaty within 30 minutes of starting out. This would be the first of several times during the day we would break a sweat - saturating clothes. That is why Tag-along and I (and other hikers) wear synthetic clothes that wick moisture and dry quickly. You won't see experienced thru hikers wearing and cotton. It's too slow to dry.In order to consume the calories we need, we snack about every 60 to 90 minutes - often taking our packs off and resting for a few minutes. We've become more conscious about purchasing snacks high in protein and fiber, although those often don't taste the best. As you might imagine, we are continually drinking water.After 5-6 hours of hiking, feet often begin to get tired. It's time to think about stopping for lunch. We often have lunch at a shelter where we can visit with other hikers and access water. We've started to elevate our feet as we eat to reduce swelling.Feeling rejuvenated from rest, nourishment, and drinking an electrolyte, we charge on to finish the hiking day. On a long day we may walk another 4-5 hours to get to our destination. During the afternoon we might use our iPod Nanos and listen to a book on tape, podcast, or music during this stretch. Between us we have 21 books.Getting into camp is a very favorite time of the day. We've worked out an efficient routine - getting out of our hiking shoes first and then setting up our Tarptent. Tag-along will often organize things in the tent while I fetch water in our 6 liter water hauler and throw the food bag cord over an extended tree branch. Six liters of water will fill our Platypus bladders for the start of the following day, give us water for cooking dinner, and allow for camp showers. Yes, we often enjoy a shower in camp. We have a very lightweight hose with shower nozzle attachment that connects to our water hauler. Simply find a private area in the woods and hang it from a tree.When hiking clothes get nasty, we might go laundry in a gallon zip lock bag. Dinner comes next. It's a social time when hikers at a camp site of shelter gather and enjoy each other's company. After dinner we are ready for bed. We often journal at this time of read a book. It takes at least ten hours of sleep each night to recover from what we put our bodies through. After waking up the next morning it's time to do it again. Such is the daily life of a thru hiker. Each day takes a lot of effort, but the rewards and sense of accomplishment as we move up the trail are immense.