Still going to try and use this app. I’d like to use it when I thru-hike. It’s day 12 on the trail and I’m taking a zero-day (hiking zero miles) in Gatlinburg, TN. My feet need the break. At the laundromat now in my rain jacket while my clothes are washing. The hike so far has been good. Not everyday has been amazing, but there seems to be something amazing on the trail everyday that makes me happy to be out there. I think I’m getting stronger, but it’s tough to tell. I’ve been logging amazing miles - averaging around 20 per day, but now I want to back that off. I’d like to average about 16 per day, not go as hard and take more/longer breaks. I’ve been happy with what I’ve taken. I’m in the Smokies, so I’m supposed to be sleeping in the shelters. I’m going to check out sleeping pads today at the outfitter, because my Nemo Tensor pad is not cutting it. I’ve used everything I’ve taken with the exception of my hat and a lot of my first aid supplies. My weight before starting was 214.6. I’m hoping to lose some weight on this trip and I’m sure I have. My daily routine is to wake at about 5:00am. I pack up camp, get my food down from the tree, eat, filter water and then start hiking around 6:30. I’ll hike until about 11:00 and take a break to eat lunch (a bar and some jerky) and filter more water. After that, I’ll take another break in the afternoon to filter more water. I try to get to camp between 5 and 6. From there, I’ll set up camp, cook, clean up, hang my bear bag with all my food and ‘smellables’ and then go to bed. I try to be in bed by 9 and read on my Kindle until I’m ready to sleep. I’m actually sleeping about 5 hours a night. It’s lower when I have to sleep in the shelter due to snoring, moving around, having to pee at night due to drinking so much water. It’s a good routine for now.
Yesterday wasn’t great. We left from Jax, but we didn’t account for the ATL July 4th weekend traffic. Wanted to get on trail around 2:00, but ended up making it around 7:00. Only made it to Stover Creek Shelter. Molly and I took a picture , so when I get lost, it’ll be easier to identify me.
All packed up and ready to go. Leaving in the morning to complete a month-long AT section hike in preparation for a Sobo thru-hike next year.
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