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.
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.