Everyday life of a thru-hiker

Good morning!

I have already mentioned that thru-hiking is no holiday! To get this clear, I'll now describe a typical day on the PCT. 

The start of the day is by far the most difficult part. Not only because I'm a sleepyhead and hate alarm clocks but because in the morning you get painfully reminded of  the miles you have done the previous day. My entire success depends on the discipline to get up in time!

Standard breakfast… Pop Darts

In general, the first of three alarm clocks rings at 5:15! 15 minutes later I try to overcome the baser instincts and leave the toasty warm sleeping bag… often in freezing temperatures.

With completely stiff ankles and constant yawning I try to stow away all my gear in my backpack in right order. Simultaneously I enjoy a breakfast of two pieces of "Pop Darts" (I love them!) and try to get down at least a liter of water. Around 6:15 I'm ready to hike!

This source is truly on the way!

To get my mind going I collect my thoughts of the previous day as an audio diary on a small digital voice recorder.
After 3 hours on the trail I take a 30 minute break for a second breakfast… 1-2 granola bars + Nutella!!!
(I'm from Europe… I'll never eat peanut butter!!!)

Sawer "gravity" filter

It is advantageous to find some water source at every break you make.
Since I got my "squeeze-filter" transformed into a "gravity filter", I have my hands free for cooking and eating while the water is filtered automatically. In about 10 minutes I get at least 3 liters of delicious life-elixir!

After the second breakfast it's time to make some miles to earn lunch. I made some personal rules like 10 miles by 10 o'clock or "12 by 12" or if things are going well "15 by 13"… it all depends on the trail-profile of the day and my mood.

Lunch time!

Especially at the lunch break, it is useful to have some fresh water around since it is a one hour break and sometimes nice to clean up a bit.

Follow the trail!

In the afternoon there comes the mental battle. Including two more smaller breaks it is time to achieve the goal of the day with i have set in the morning.
There is always the desire to camp at an adequate water source because in the evening it is cooking time, the body demands an extra dose of water with electrolytes and you require some liquid for the following breakfast.

No camping spot in this forest :-(

Only in exceptional cases I want to end on a so-called "dry-camp" to with I have to carry up to 2 liters of additional water so I have enough till the next morning.

The characteristic of the PCT makes the search for a suitable campsite often quite difficult. A beautiful water source not always indicates a flat spot to sleep. The trail winds its way through rough terrain like old forests, steep slopes or rocky plateaus. As long as you don't prefer to sleep under the open sky which is called "cowboy camping", you need a usable space of at least 6x10 feet. 

A little  rocky… but quite OK!

If everything works well I have completed a marathon distance. Extremely tired but very satisfied I enjoy my dinner.
The evening is quick and unspectacular. Setting up the tent, cooking dinner, gooing to sleep! A "normal" day starts for me at 6 am and ends around  7 pm after a minimum of 12 hours of hiking.

As long as I have a camp for myself it takes me about an hour till I'm in my sleeping bag. I try to get at least 8 hours of sleep because that's what I can't offer my body to be fit again the following day.
Instead of a romantic sunsets I'm already asleep dreaming of ice cream, chocolate and pizza!

Happy Trails :-)