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What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike

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Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike

#31

Post by tunesmith »

somethingsimple wrote: post #26

How does one get started doing this kind of thing? Ever since moving to the US, and specifically to the PNW, I've been wanting to hike, but I don't know where to start. People here seem to grow up used to it, but I don't know what equipment I need, what food to bring, how to get to the trails (do I drive? what if there's no parking?), etc.

A good first step would be to go to REI. They have a liberal return policy if the gear you buy doesn't work for you. They have good trail books at the bookshelves that will give you plenty of well-categorized hikes organized by region and difficulty. Start with a decent daypack, hiking boots, and a basic survival kit (water bottles, first aid kit, emergency blanket, knife). Try out a few dayhikes of five miles or less, at that point you'll rapidly learn enough to know what direction you want to go in next. It's not that big a leap afterwards to getting a multi-day backpack, a tent, a sleeping bag / pad, a water filter, and a stove.

Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike

#32

Post by justinator »

bootload wrote: post #7
justinator wrote: post #2

I've done quite a few very strenuous, multi-week races on bike, including riding the Colorado Trail in 7 days [0], and riding to, then summiting all the Colorado 14ers in 34 [1] - as well as participating in the Tour Divide [2] twice. I would call my fitness before these races as "peak", but I wouldn't call myself anything but near, "onset of over training syndrome" afterwards. The only thing I experienced similar to…

"One thing that stuck out with me is that they only hiked for 8 hours/day. That seems like a light day! compared to these races," Really. Carrying a 20kg pack for eight hours over rough terrain is less strenuous than bike riding? Do this for over 500 miles? Ever done this before? Hike on foot with 20kg packs on consecutive days? Make camp, make food, rest, break camp. Everything on your back. This is a lot more stren…

All these mountain bike races are self-supported, so they're actually very similar in the amount of gear carrying by someone doing a thru-hike with UL equipment, as you're carrying everything you'll need from start to finish, including your sleep system. Much of the course for say - the Colorado Trail is difficult enough you're not riding the bike: you're pushing it. This sort of thing [0]

I've actually considered trying to hike the Colorado Trail unsupported - carrying everything I'll need from the start (except water) with NO resupplies until the end. My target time would be around 9 days. If you're trying to gauge how strenuous the types of effort I put forth when I go and do the things I do.

Anyways, 8 hours seems like an easy day on the trail for sure. 8 hours hike + 8 hours sleep leaves you 8 hours for $Other_Things. Might as well hike some more!

[0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyznXGXiSDk

Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike

#33

Post by nether »

andr3w321 wrote: post #11

Ya but how many toenails does he have left? Every time I've hiked > 15 miles at a time they start turning purple

Shoes for hiking should be sized to be roomy around the toe. All of mine are 1-2 sizes larger than my Brannock size. Toe bang is prevented this way.

Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike

#35

Post by doingmyting »

somethingsimple wrote: post #26

How does one get started doing this kind of thing? Ever since moving to the US, and specifically to the PNW, I've been wanting to hike, but I don't know where to start. People here seem to grow up used to it, but I don't know what equipment I need, what food to bring, how to get to the trails (do I drive? what if there's no parking?), etc.

If you wanted to get started use Meetup. Lots of hiking groups for all levels and they tell you exactly what you need. Even as a bonus you can meet some people. Some weird yes, but ever so often you meet a diamond like yourself that just moved to PNW and doesn't know where to start. I was once in your shoe after moving to Seattle :)

Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike

#36

Post by Dowwie »

I came across three emaciated, bearded men on the continental divide trail in glacier national park. When I asked one of them where he was from he looked at his buddies and they all replied excitedly, in unison, "Mexico!". It was at that moment that I came to realize that these men were one day away from completing the entire thru-hike.

I vividly recall one of their dinners: Dried ramen noodle, straight from the bag.

They slept in their bags exposed, beneath a basic light tarp.

Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike

#37

Post by baddox »

chrismartin wrote: post #23
baddox wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

4: Be restricted in your calories by having to carry everything on your back.

Not really because you choose foods that are calorie-dense (i.e. foods without water weight, and fatty foods). 3000-4000 calories per trail day was typical during my 1,900 PCT miles. I never had to restrict intake due to weight concerns. Also binged on burgers and ice cream at every opportunity in town. This is what one of my larger resupplies looked like, 31,750 calories for a 7-day stretch: https://www.flickr.com/p…

When I did the JMT I was restricted in the last leg by the volume of my bear cannister. That's mostly what I was thinking of. I dropped from around 3500 calories per day to around 2800, and I sure felt it (also the last leg is by far the most difficult, southbound).

Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike

#38

Post by Dowwie »

busterarm wrote: post #27
somethingsimple wrote: post #26

How does one get started doing this kind of thing? Ever since moving to the US, and specifically to the PNW, I've been wanting to hike, but I don't know where to start. People here seem to grow up used to it, but I don't know what equipment I need, what food to bring, how to get to the trails (do I drive? what if there's no parking?), etc.

Seconded, but in NY here.

Big state, but I assume NYC?

Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike

#39

Post by nodamage »

Another good option if you're not interested in hiking is bicycle touring. A few years ago I spent a summer cycling across France, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria and it was an absolutely incredible experience. After cycling for roughly 6 hours per day over six weeks, I lost a ton of weight, despite eating anything and everything I wanted. (Which was more food than I would normally eat at home, considering you're burning thousands of calories per day in exercise alone.) Definitely would recommend to anyone interested in combining long, sustained periods of exercise with traveling.

Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike

#40

Post by the_cat_kittles »

nodamage wrote: post #39

Another good option if you're not interested in hiking is bicycle touring. A few years ago I spent a summer cycling across France, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria and it was an absolutely incredible experience. After cycling for roughly 6 hours per day over six weeks, I lost a ton of weight, despite eating anything and everything I wanted. (Which was more food than I would normally eat at home, considering you're b…

i biked the oregon coast with some friends. it was so fun, despite being a literal pain in the ass. also highly recommend! i was quite strong after just a week. the highlight of the summer for sure.
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