Less is MORE!

In the final phase I love the moment when I can answer one of the most important questions:

How heavy is my backpack?

21 ounces... that's the answer :-)

But it's not just all about the backpack... what about the entire content inside? What's my base weight?
The last two days I continuously moved between my laptop, all the hiking gear and my digital scale and did a lot of measurements .
In the end I had it all together... 15 pounds without water and food.

- 3,7 pound

EPIC :-)

For a "normal" hiker that might not sound like a lot of weight but 3,7lb less compared to last year is in my world a thru-hiking a quantum leap! That is half a gallon of water that I do not have to carry around useless for 3,000 miles!

For more details visit the category "Gear".

Happy trails :-)

Ready to go again!

A lot of time has passed since I was in Lander in the middle of nowhere in Wyoming without knowing what to do. The decision to get off trail was the right one!

Meanwhile it is spring again and I can't wait to get another chance on the CDT.

And YES... I'll start again at the very beginning ! Only a thru-hike is the real challenge!

I got professional help treating my Achilles tendon practically every week since I returned and I'm ready to go again... 100%!

I lightened up my gear on more time and got rid off 4 pounds! More details on that coming soon.

But the most important thing is my overall fitness this year. Last year I was certainly well prepared but this didn't compensate my overweight which resulted in my problems with the Achilles tendon. This time I shaped up and lost 26 pounds of body weight!!!

The CDT is just not like the PCT... you have to be in top shape on day one!

And another problem is solved.. I found NEW "Banana Pants". Unfortunately my original model is no longer available and the green version wasn't really successful. But I have a new pair again, now I am yellow again!

The countdown has started and I am looking forward to put my first steps into the sand of New Mexico!