July 14: If there is one thing I'm good at when backpacking, it is getting up and getting out really quickly without making much noise. Which is good when you are camping in the midst of lots of people who like to sleep in. I have a system, you see. My bladder wakes me up before the sun. And after taking care of that business, it's (1) change from sleeping clothes to hiking clothes (2) stuff sleeping bag in stuff sack (3) stuff sleeping bag in backpack (4) put sleeping clothes in ziplock bag (5) pull 'food for the day' bag out of the animal proof food container and put food in pack (6) stove, cockpit, and fuel in backpack (7) hygiene ziplock in pack (8) clothes in pack (9) iPad, phone, maps, in pack (9) headlamp, knife, etc in hip pocket (10) deflate sleeping pad and put in outside pocket (11) take down tent and cinch into straps (12) shoes on, and hike while eating cliff bar with peanut butter. Same way, every day. Everything in the pack in the same order, same spot. Every once in a while, I have a day like those days when it takes 5 trips back into the house before leaving for work. But for the most part, I'm up, dressed, packed, and out. Which is good for me, and good for the people sleeping around me.
I can't say I was as successful at getting up and out without waking people up on the shelters on the AT.
But on July 14, when I was camping in a big post-Belden-sleep-rave spot, I was the first one up and out without waking a soul.
In this section, we were back up in forested areas. Which I really like. Even though the views aren't as spectacular as in the desert, the energy of a forest is so much nicer, in my opinion. And it makes for a wonderful day of hiking.
This day was full of ups and downs, in and out of trees. Just the way I like my hiking days. I was leapfrogging back and forth with lots of people, eating lots to lessen the weight of my newly restocked food-bag, and cruising along at a great clip. I expected to do way more miles than I actually did.
But sometimes, 9 days into hiking without a zero, your body just decides its had enough miles for the day. And when you come to a nice flat spot with a clean flowing spring, you take a nice long rest. And when the sky turns dark and the thunder starts rumbling, you figure, "might as well set up the tent". And do a little reading, a little journaling, a lot of eating, and turn in early. As the rain starts and sings you to sleep with its percussion on your tent.
So what if deer also like the spring and wake you up all night long going back and forth to drink? That whole rain thing sound pretty picturesque! Lets just stick with the rain.
I can't say I was as successful at getting up and out without waking people up on the shelters on the AT.
But on July 14, when I was camping in a big post-Belden-sleep-rave spot, I was the first one up and out without waking a soul.
In this section, we were back up in forested areas. Which I really like. Even though the views aren't as spectacular as in the desert, the energy of a forest is so much nicer, in my opinion. And it makes for a wonderful day of hiking.
This day was full of ups and downs, in and out of trees. Just the way I like my hiking days. I was leapfrogging back and forth with lots of people, eating lots to lessen the weight of my newly restocked food-bag, and cruising along at a great clip. I expected to do way more miles than I actually did.
But sometimes, 9 days into hiking without a zero, your body just decides its had enough miles for the day. And when you come to a nice flat spot with a clean flowing spring, you take a nice long rest. And when the sky turns dark and the thunder starts rumbling, you figure, "might as well set up the tent". And do a little reading, a little journaling, a lot of eating, and turn in early. As the rain starts and sings you to sleep with its percussion on your tent.
So what if deer also like the spring and wake you up all night long going back and forth to drink? That whole rain thing sound pretty picturesque! Lets just stick with the rain.
Peace, love, and trail magic!
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