Well I got to do my first backpack hike on friday on the Quehanna Trail. The entire trail is 73 miles going through Pa wilds. My plan was to do a 20 mile loop starting west and catching the QTCC bringing me back to the trail head. This being my first ever hike I didn't want to push my ability. Well I was in for a rude awakening. First off I was caring a pack weighing ruffly 70 lbs. second I was wearing new hiking boots never worn before then and third over estimating my abilities. I forgot I wasn't in my 20's and in the army anymore. Well to the hike I started off at 0845 at the trail head hiking a mile stopped to rest for 5 minutes which gave me the opportunity too meet two other hikers one from Peru. So every mile was a break was making a mile every 30 minutes so I felt i was making good time. Stopped for 30 minutes for a snack/lunch break. after that I started going down hill not as in walking either each time a took a break I was struggling to get my pack on it felt like I was trying to throw a few hundred lbs over my shoulders. Well at the 5 mile point my shins began to hurt and I called it quits. Which was a good thing because 1/2 mile ahead on the trail was a steep incline which I was no position to make. I then went ahead to setting up camp including drying out extra clothes that got wet from my leaking water bladder. ate a meal of freeze dried beef stew and fell asleep for 1 hour. I woke up with a severe charlie horse. I sat there contemplating will I be able to make it out of there tomorrow after I got up knowing how I felt now or should I go while I still was able too. So I reluctantly broke camp. I decided my best course of action was to hike 1 mile to the nearest road and stash my heavy pack and then hike what I thought was 4 miles back to my vehicle at the trail head the plan was good in my mind. I dropped my pack at 730 pm walking 8.7 miles not 4 to my vehicle arriving at the trail head at 1015 pm I did not stop for a break was afraid I would tense up. Well after all that I can say I still enjoyed myself because this was a learning experience and It can only get better from here. I am playing with the weight of my pack right now It is 25 lbs minus shelter , water or extra clothes so tweaking will be in order. I wanted to include some Pic's but can't get them to load or short videos.
OneShotPaJim, wowwww.... that sure must have been a learning experience. Perhaps building up longer distances to walk and definitely reducing the weight of your backpack will help with making it easier on you to slowly progress...
Well natchez I walk allot as it is hunting for one and I take my family on 2-3 mile hikes my daughter is'nt ready for backpacking quite yet. So I think the main problem I had was pack weight. I should have known better but live and learn. I am anxious to get at it again with a lighter pack.
Well here we go I will try attaching pic's again [img size=350]http://www.hikingforums.net/components/com_joomlaboard/uploaded/images/TRAIL_HEAD.jpg[/img]
hey jim! glad to hear you survived! and really glad to hear you knocked off probably 40lbs after your 1st trip! and really, really glad to hear that you had a littlbe bit of a tough time and are ready to do it again! that's the kind of positive attitude i love about hikers.
if you want to take some time and post your gear list here i'm sure there'd be plenty of us who could help you trim out some weight and suggest some changes. post EVERYTHING. cell phone, keys, tp, toothpaste, etc everything!
View Profile
View Forum Posts
Private Message
Reply With Quote