The Daily Ritual

Wake up at 4:30 or so, just as the stars begin to wink out overhead. Dawn is still far away, but its time to get the day moving, especially as I seem to take longer than the average thru-hiker to break camp in the morning. If I'm in a leisurely mood, start some water for tea or coffee while still swathed in my sleeping bag, naturally. Otherwise, move right on to a breakfast of a few cups of granola with powdered milk added. While eating, start getting dressed... still in the sleeping bag, natch'. When done, do the dishes, get everything packed and ready to go, then spend a few more warm blissful minutes before getting all my bedding stuffed.

With the tent still up, get the backpack loaded; sleeping bag on the bottom right, with my bag liner next to it and stove on top of that. Next, the two food bags, one with snacks and lunch, the other with breakfasts and dinner, then bunch my long sleeve shirt in the spaces around those. With the maps for the day already in my pocket, any extra guidebook pages and miscellaneous items are stowed in the top pouch. Carefully get the socks on, after bandaging any hot spots or blisters, then get the boots cleaned up and laced. Finally, with everything else done, get out and take down the tent, stuffing it in its bag and wrapping the whole thing in the sleeping pad, then tying the bundle up. Strap the whole deal on top of the pack, get the trekking poles, and head out. The water for the start of the day (the first 20 miles or so) was acquired last night, so no need to stop for awhile.

Hike for about 4 hours or so, or however long you can ignore the hunger building in your stomach, then stop for 10 or 15 minutes to rest, enjoy a view, and possibly clean out the boots again. Another 4 hour stretch ensues; its only 2 or so, and already 25 miles have flown by. Time for another break, this time maybe a bit longer, and to fill up on water. The familiar ache in the feet begins anew after standing up, but luckily it will be largely gone in a few minutes. After 30 miles, the challenge of keeping the momentum going really begins, and the familiar, sometimes hostile discourse between mind and body starts.

Body: I hurt a bunch. Maybe its time to stop soon?

Mind: Dude. Its only like 4 p.m. There is crazy daylight left and many miles to go before I sleep. Keep walking, chump.

Body: Really funny, jerk. If thats the case, let me give you a friendly reminder of the fact that I'm tired every time we take a step. Have fun with that.

Mind: Not gonna do any good. You might as well cut it out, we're still hiking for another 10 miles. Hope you like rocks.

Body: I'm calling my union rep...

One more rest stop will usually suffice to end the Descartian dialogues, and then its only a few more hours hiking until camp. The tent goes up first, everything is unpacked, and water is procured before starting dinner. Unlike most thru-hikers, I at least entertain the idea of making a campfire, though on a big day that is unlikely to happen; the sun is already well on its way down when dinner is finished, and it can be a race to eat before passing out as it is. After clean up and all, its already pushing 9:30, in other words a little past hiker midnight. There is just enough time to read the guidebook for the next day, then off to bed once everything is organized for the following morning--there is nothing worse than groping around in the half-darkness for breakfast when another long hike lies ahead. So ends a 40+ mile day on the PCT.