Appalachian Trail: Day 12
Disclaimer: This post is NOT sponsored. All the gear mentioned in this post was purchased by me at retail prices. I have no affiliations with any of the companies or brands mentioned.
Do people still do the "typical day of a whatever"? I don't know, but I feel like doing it, so it's happening. Here is the typical day of a thru-hiker.
I typically wake up around 6:30 or so because I need to pee. This requires me crawling out of my sleeping bag, sticking my feet out of the tent to put on my camp.shoes, and then extracting myself from the tent to walk to the privy which generally is a bit away. Of course, my legs are sore from the previous day's walking and stiff from overnight, so the walk is painful.
After doing the needful, I head back to my tent. Sunrise is usually coming soon, and there is already enough light, so I start packing up camp. This involves removing everything from the tent, putting on my dirty socks from the day before a putting on my trail runners that I will be hiking in, then finally breaking down the tent and stuffing it into its own sack.
Of course, all of this has to be done as quietly as possible in deference to the other hikers still sleeping. If another hiker is up, generally a wave and a quiet or mouthed "Morning" is enough.
Breakfast involves retrieving the bear bag from whatever secure location it was put last night, bear box, hanging from the provided cables or a proper PCT hang. For me, breakfast tends to be light. Today I am having what I call camp mocha. It's a carnation instant breakfast, some milk powder, and an instant coffee. As I wait for the water to come to temperature, I sort out what snacks I want for the day while hiking and move them into my fanny pack. I also grab some electrolyte packets as well. Breakfast time also means morning meds time.
My first canister of fuel finally ran out today. Fortunately, I bought a second while at Neels Gap.
After breakfast, doing the dishes involves pouring more water into the pot/cup, scraping the excess food from the sides and drinking it down. A quick brush of the teeth, and the bear bag is ready to go in the pack.
My last camp chore for the morning is filtering water. I always leave camp with 2 full liters. If I'm lucky there is enough in the bag to filter from the night before, if not then I have to go get more from whatever source is available.
I start my tracking for the fans back home, adjust my trekking poles to the right height, and start walking. I typically start between 8 and 8:30. Today is going to be a 12 mile day. It starts with a 250 ft climb over a half a mile. Not the steepest climb, but still has my calves crying for this early in the morning.
One of the nice things about the AT is also one of the worst things about it. There are tons of road crossings. Most of forest roads, so they don't get much traffic, but it's possible to get rides from them. The problem with them is you usually have to descend down to the gap which means climbing back up out of them on the other side.
As much as I love to complain about the inclines and the pain in my calves (as a FL girl, let me tell you, they suck), a hiker has gotta keep a passive attitude to make it. There are several ways to do it. Some hikers listen to music, some listen to podcasts, others audiobooks. I like to use every white blaze as a opportunity to remind myself why I am out here. Sometimes it's just celebrating the little victories that come during the day. Reaching a great view, some milestone you have set, or even just reaching the top of a rise and declaring it's snack time. Today's milestone is actually a big one. I crossed into North Carolina. I celebrated by taking a break and having snack time.
Another great milestone to celebrate is a stream crossing. It's a chance to filter more water, take a break, and have snack time again.
But ultimately, the day is a lot of walking up and down mountains, stubbing toes on rocks and roots.
Of course, the next shelter, campsite, or town is also a cause for celebration as that means the hiking for the day is done. But then camp chores start. Setting up the tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, cooking dinner, and hanging the food bag. Usually over dinner I review the trail for tomorrow to get an idea of what I am in for. I also journal about the day's hike for all my lovely audience.
Finally it's time for evening meds and bed.
And that is the day in the life of a thru-hiker.