I think today will mark one week since I started getting serious about the hiking trip. Last week I started training {if you can call power walking 1-2 hours and biking {16 miles on an electric bike – on mostly the lowest setting, training}.
I’ve also been going up and down the barn stairs a bunch and gathering the things I’ll need for my trip too.
I even tried out a few flavors of Liquid IV {spoiler alert – I think they all taste gross} and decided to take the 5 free ones that were given to me even though I didn’t like them.
The way I see it, if I can muscle down one a day during my trip that will be one more than if I didn’t. I also bought some fruit bars at Costco. Now I’m on the hunt for a Kind Bar variety that I like.
I figure between the fruit bars {something sweet} and the Kind Bars {something salty and nutty} and the Liquid IV, I should be fine on snacks. I have no problem eating the same foods over and over again. Clearly. 😉
The next big step is getting used to carrying what I’ll need during the day on my back {mainly water!}.
Yesterday I walked around town with 6 Costco water bottles in my {borrowed} backpack for an hour. And you know what? I could totally feel the weight slowing me down towards the end.
The funny/sad thing was the backpack and water only weighed about 7 pounds!!!
Oh my word. Today I’m going to go out for a 2 hour power walk with it on. I may need a nap afterwards.
A water bladder backpack was suggested but I have no interest in that. Drinking from the tube thing seems so foreign to me. It’s definitely not something I would want to borrow or spend my pastry money on because I’d never use it again.
What have I gotten myself into? I’m too old for this!
~Mavis
P.S. Do you think the daypack is too big? It has a padded but ridged back panel. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. It feels kind of weird.
Erin says
Take the pack to REI & they will help you fit it properly or will tell you if it’s a completely wrong fit. Side note: My hubby does ultralight backpacking. Might be worth looking into for this trip since you don’t intend to do this again. It could save you on buying unnecessary gear & help keep pack weight down. If nothing else, it can give you ideas on how to best fill your pack.
My sister & nephew came to town this past week & we drove them around a bunch of the little villages so they could get a feel for Maine & we actually saw your house on our drive. Happy accident. It’s so cute in person!
Jeanine says
So where are you sleeping and are you taking a tent and sleeping bag? I mean, are you just hiking during the day and have sleeping arrangements already in place? What’s the overall plan on this trip? Sorry for all the questions, but will be the difference as to how big a pack you need to take and what you will filling it. What are you eating besides snacks and trail bars. Are you having prepared food provided on this hike? Give me answers, then I can help with some of your questions.
Sue R. says
That’s the kind of questions I want answered too!
Mavis Butterfield says
I’m just looking for a comfortable day pack to carry the water and things I would need during a day hike. Nothing else.
Erin says
This totally changes things then! I thought you were backpacking. Your borrowed pack will be just fine! Maybe a little large but that shouldn’t be a problem.
Mark says
The pack is probably a little big if you’re just doing day hikes from a basecamp and not overnights.
I’ve always preferred rigid packs over frameless for longer hikes. The frame helps to keep the weight more on your hips and off of your shoulders.
Linda Sand says
For me, the most important part of a pack is the hip belt. Transferring weight from my shoulder to my hips is wonderful! And, yes, please, tell us more about the type of trip so we can give you more helpful suggestions. We all want this to be a successful trip for you.
Also, I second having REI help you fit a pack to your body. My husband is 11 inches taller than I am so we needed very different packs when backpack camping.
Mavis Butterfield says
I just need a day pack to carry my water and things I would need during a day hike. Nothing else.
Ashley B says
Sounds like you’re taking this seriously. The only way to know your preferences at this point is to go and find out. Good luck!
Vy in Seattle says
When I do need to use the Liquid IV packets, I dilute them way more than you’re supposed to, so one packet is 2 or 3 water bottles, not one. Much better that way.
Also, from earlier, re: spicy curries … use some greek yogurt in your curry to way cut down the spice (I used to do sour cream but greek yogurt is even better).
Karen in NE OH says
Mavis, relax & enjoy the trip. Fabulous hiking in fabulous parks. Sounds like heaven. You will have a wonderful time!
Julie says
I second that, Mavis! The elevation isn’t horribly high there and most likely the kind of hiking you’re gonna do is not extreme hiking we’ve been there and it’s glorious, even if you aren’t 100% in shape like I am not!! You just enjoy the scenery. Enjoy your friends and drink enough and have enough food and you will be just fine!!!!
Leanna Thompson says
Ultima Replenisher is yummy for electrolytes. The flavors I like are lemonade, and the mocktail flavors: cranberry cosmo, appletini, peach bellini and pina colada. It’s sweetened with stevia. Should be able to find them at your local grocery store.
Kate says
I think your pack is larger than you need, but unless it’s very heavy, shouldn’t be a problem. I agree with others that the hip belt is key. You can position it to keep weight off your shoulders. We’ve done 2 hut to hut hiking trips and we usually use disposable water bottles and just refill them. Helps to keep the weight down. Enjoy your trip! I’m a bit jealous.
KC says
When I was reading up on different options for inexpensive oral rehydration salts (ORS) recommended by international health organizations for different areas/purposes/price-points/storage-options/ingredient-availability, etc., one quote stuck out to me: if the patient thinks that plain oral rehydration solution (not the sweetened and flavored kind) tastes good, they’re dehydrated and need to be given more. (it does not work the other way, where if the patient does *not* think it tastes good, then they are *not* dehydrated; you can have nausea and dehydration)
Anyway. I don’t know if it works with Liquid IV et al, but… anyway, good luck!
Carrie says
The pack is probably a little bigger than you need…but not overly so. You’ll want to be able to stuff layers in there and potentially your rain pants depending on the forcast.
I often find great backpacks (rei and other hiking brands) at goodwill. Might be worth checking out a local thrift store. The problem with smaller packs is they often don’t have good hip belts and that is essential to be. I’d rather have an oversized pack with a good hip belt then a small one with all the weight on my shoulders. And there is a difference between hip belts (thicker with padding) and waist belts (thin strap to keep your bag in place)
I would say the most important part is if the hip belt is functional for you. Play around with were you have it (sometimes I do it over my hips, sometimes more like around the top of them). Then adjust the shoulder strap length. I like that to be a little on the loose side with the weight more on my hips. You don’t want it too tight or it puts stress/weight on your shoulders.
The advantage of a water blatter is how it hangs and helps distribute the weight of the water in your pack. I personally love it and not having to open my backpack an waterbottle every time I need a drink. But definitely not necessary.
The more water you drink the lighter your pack will get!
Ann says
Good morning Mavis,
You could consider a running hydration pack minus a bladder. Pockets in front to carry water bottles like you have in the back and pockets for snacks in the front as well. Some have small back zips you can carry an extra layer. Salomon (I have) and Ultimate Direction are known names, but Amazon has many similar and way less expensive. For day hikes you might find these better and less bulky. Often referred to as fast packs, day packs, running packs.
Katherine says
Maybe use only a partial amount of the Liquid IV per bottle of water so that the taste is somewhat diluted.
Linda J says
The beauty of the bladder is you can take a sip any time you want to. If you choose to use one, I recommend taking individually wrapped, sterile alcohol wipes to sanitize the mouthpiece. They’re lightweight and help keep the cooties away. I use an inline Sawyer filter to make sure the water is as clean as possible, too. It’s advertised as a squeeze filter, but you can cut the tube that goes from the bladder to the mouthpiece, insert the filter, and sip away at your convenience.
Have a wonderful time!
Carole Parker says
Try NUUN tablets for hydration, smaller, drop into a water bottle, really, really good, multiple flavors, recommended to me by my RD. She was right, works like magic and tastes good. If you can’t find it locally its on Amazon