<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.3199" name=GENERATOR>
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I was talking with my son, who wants to do the pct
in '09, about daily mileage requirements to complete a thru hike of the crest
and realized the issues came down to these:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> <STRONG> - plan for (south-north)
the maximum number of days possible based on</STRONG> </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> - your
work/school schedule, money needs, etc....</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> - your
willingness to walk on firmer spring snow (mornings only) in
May-June</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> - your
ability to deal with plowing through soft, fresh snow in Sept.-Oct.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> - your
ability to cope with the possibility of being stopped by weather so
close</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>
to Canada yet too far to plow on</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> [ I suggested
that he start April 1st and go to Sept. 1st., take spring quarter
off</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial
size=2> school
to start on time, and finish ahead of the snows and in time for fall
quarter]</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>
- spring snow is safer than winter storms!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial
size=2> - this
gave him 153 hiking days/2650 miles = 17.3 miles/day, if he were to
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>
walk every day, which he
shouldn't.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG> - plan for days off or
zero mileage days as often as once/week</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> - 22
zeros - 153 = 131 true hiking days/2650 = 20.2 actual miles/day</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The conversation paused and he asked, "Is that a
mileage I can realistically do?"</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>So, we talked about a typical trail day based on
his style of hiking:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> - awake just before dawn,
breakfast and pack up just after dawn (time only matters</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> out there
when you've got to catch a food drop on time!).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> - hike all day, take lots of
breaks to photo, eat, explore, sleep, soak feet, ect..</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> - set up camp around sunset,
kill all the mosquitoes in the tent, gorge food, check</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> maps, write
notes, hit the sac..</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> - daily hiking hours will be
somewhere around 10-14</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> - speed will be somewhere
between 2-3mph</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> = possible daily mileages will
be 20.2 on the slow day (statistically, only), there-</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> fore able to
do once strong enough.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Now, that brought up the realization, "What if I
hiked faster, once strong and in shape?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> What happens if I get ahead of
schedule? I know I'm going to find my own rhythm </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> somewhere
between 20 and 30mpd...."</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The answer was obvious, "More zeros, son! More time
to enjoy the mountains!"</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> - <STRONG>find out how many
miles/day you can do</STRONG>, now, and consider you'll be able to
do</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> more once
you're stronger, after a week or three.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> - <STRONG>train with your pack
on</STRONG>, the only way to strengthen the specific muscles for
hiking.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> - <STRONG>start your trip slow;
it's ok to rest often. Gradually increase your daily
mileage</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Unless it is your intention to go fast, take it
easy and enjoy your trip! On this one, it's </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> only important to <STRONG>have
fun, be safe, and go the distance!</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT face=Arial size=2>Got that?</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>mtnned</FONT></DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>
<DIV><BR>---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>For Information on Programs, previous Trips, and Photo Gallery,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Please visit: <A
href="http://www.mountaineducation.com">www.mountaineducation.com</A></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>