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Hi Ned,<br>
<br>
I too have thought about a schedule similar to yours. However, I have
a question for those who have thru-hiked already. Starting April 1 is
appealing in that you get thru the desert when it's a little cooler.
But there are also a couple of mountain ranges thru that desert
stretch. <br>
<br>
Question #1: Can you hike thru those mountain ranges in April without
postholing thru a lot of snow?<br>
<br>
Question #2: If you start the hike April 1, will this put you in the
Sierras too early, that is, when the high Sierra is still under many
feet of snow and the stream crossing are dangerous due to snowmelt?
What's a reasonable start date to begin the high Sierra section?<br>
<br>
Thanks in advance for your opinions/suggestions/info...<br>
<br>
Greg<br>
<br>
Ned Tibbits wrote:
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<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> </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> </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> </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> </div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">The conversation paused and he
asked, "Is that a mileage I can realistically do?"</font></div>
<div> </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> </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> </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></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></strong> </div>
<div><strong><font face="Arial" size="2">Got that?</font></strong></div>
<div><strong></strong> </div>
<div><strong></strong> </div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">mtnned</font></div>
<font face="Arial" size="2"></font>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2"><br>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2"> </font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">For Information on Programs,
previous Trips, and Photo Gallery,</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2"> </font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">Please visit: <a
moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://www.mountaineducation.com">www.mountaineducation.com</a></font></div>
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