Date: 2012-12-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Did a short prep hike Saturday from PA 325 (Clarks Valley) to Clarks Ferry Bridge with full pack weight.   Temp was below freezing at start and topped off at about 35ish, but had a HOWLING wind for the whole 16 miles. I was really hoping for adverse conditions on first major prep hike on the A T and got just that. So what was learned that could be helpful to others?- If your prepared mentally adverse conditions are not such a big deal. I   knew it was going to be extremely windy (topping out @ 40ish)with 30% chance of rain/sleet.   Took a cheap poncho just in case. Had only wind with just a trace or two of sleet. What I learned about the wind? IT was no big deal and didnt bother me a bit. NOW, if there was rain, who knows. Certainly a lot more annoying.- Even with high winds and freezing temps, my legs were quite fine with just a pair of Pantagonia Capilene 3 MW bottoms and a baggy pair of Prana Mojo shorts. That is ALL I plan on taking to Springer Mountain and now am quite confident they will be adequate.- on top I had a mesh tee shirt & MW 3 Capilene long sleeve shirt with an old midweight fleece Blaze Orange hunting jacket that was stashed in a closet. Going uphill (from car to ridgetop) the coat stayed in the pack but on the ridge top it came out to combat the wind (guessing windchill in midteens).   Overall, the coat (while not really heavy) was still a little too much.   It worked for this prep but wont be going to Georgia.   My choice there will be the R1 Hoodie.   3 total top layers and thats all.   Packa for rain.   Confidence now quite high that clothing gear will be adequate.- Shoes were fine and developed no hot spots. Merrill Ventilators heavier than the cheap shoes I have wore out west, but provide more protection from the rocks. Got 3 pair so had fingers crossed they were the correct shoes for my very wide high arched short feet.- Speaking of rocks, there is a 2 mile stretch about 3 miles from the Clarks Ferry bridge that is a Major P I T A.   Trail right at ridge top & crosses from side to side among the rocks/bolders. I looked at it this way, it was an obstacle in my path and it wasnt going to be for 20 miles, so NBD.   Annoying yes, but conquered with a full pack weight of 28# (which is a couple more than my anticipated 26# top weight. Needed 12# of wet sand in plastic jars to get to 28#.   Best part is about May 20 going north I will blast past this rocky section with about 15#s going north because I will be starting the homestretch after spending a night in my own bed and can get food at Pine Grove in 45 miles. - Ok, how did the 55 year old body hold up? Feet were fine. Shoulders were quite sore for about 3 hours ( could have easily did another 5 miles though) but were pretty good the next morning. Hips were another thing.   When moving and loose, AOK. Sit around awhile and stiffness set in. Fine after 30 hours. Left ankle better but still quite stiff.   Had a major sprain there at 21 (better if it broke) and rolled it 2 times getting caught on the smallest of rocks. So in the future will adjust by continually telling myself to LIFT LEFT FOOT HIGHER when side hilling and upside is on left.Overall, gear was fine for low temps and body came through AOK considering not in exactly Springer Mountain Shape. Could I have done 15+ miles Sunday? Of course.   Would have had to endure some early morning pain to loosened up and maybe a tad slower, but it would have happened. Full training starts Next Tuesday Morning with a 6 mile trail run with about 1000 feet of elevation change. TONS of small rocks on about 4 miles of this circuit. When I break under an hour, will be Springer Mountain ready & if I dont (best time ever 1:02:09) WILL STILL BE READY~~~~~~~~~~