Day 1: Foreplay / Long Time

Day 1: 11.6 miles plus bonus.

Location: Lone Tree Camp

I set my alarm for 6:00 a.m., but went to bed as soon as it was dark.  I woke up refreshed and ready to go at 5:20.  There are so many things that are chores for thru-hiking that you take for granted when you have a place to live.  You have to filter your  instead of turning on a faucet.  In my case, I need to charge my phone.

I have a fully charged battery that should charge my phone five times, but it takes half a day to charge it.  Waking up early gives me some extra time to charge while I'm in civilization.

I did my hiker trash priorities correct.  Power over shower.  I watched the sunrise by the outlet.  Yes, those are port-a-potties.

Not exactly the epic views like I had on the PCT.

After I was good to go, I walked to the Senior Center.  I passed by a coffee shop and went in.  The smell of coffee was repulsive.  That only happens when I'm hiking.

While I waited, another hiker came aboard.  I was hoping he was doing the same I was, but he was leaving the trail early.  He started at the Northern Terminus, hiked two 25 mile days in a row, and decided to quit.  Turns out that he parked his car where I was starting, so we took a Lyft together.  He paid for it, despite my protests.

I started hiking at 11:00 a.m. My goal was six miles, with a stretch goal of 11.6.  I made an unforced series of errors.  I didn't hydrate.  I skipped breakfast.  I was crushed after three miles.  I was expecting to go five miles per liter of water   I think I went two.  Eventually, I made it to the six mile camp, but it was only 3 p.m.  I really had no choice but to reach for the stretch goal of 11.6 miles.  The only problem is that I had to carry water as the site is dry.

So, I tried pounding out five more miles with five liters of water. I made it by 6 p.m.  I am a soggy sweaty mess.  Now I'm getting rained on in my own tent as all my sweat became condensation on the tent wall.  Good time.

I haven't seen a soul today.  I hope that changes.

This is why it is called Type-2 fun.