This guy took a selfie every mile of the PCT. It's pretty cool to see his transformation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyo8OIp7aHM
I can't BELIEVE how different he looked after the hike. Rugged handsomeness increased 10-fold.
What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike
201–210 of 281 posts
Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike
#202I 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.…
When you carry your gear for a thousands of miles, you reevaluate what you really need. A stove is not needed because food can be consumed raw. A full tent is not needed because a basic tarp and careful site selection are enough to keep a person dry while sleeping. Toilet paper is not needed because smooth rocks, leaves and other material found on the trail can be used to wipe.
> When you carry your gear for a thousands of miles, you reevaluate what you really need.
True.
There is one interesting exception though: everyone I met who traveled (not hiked per se, but lived out of a backpack), had one "luxury item".
It was something that was absolutely not necessary, but they lugged it around with them anyway, because it made sense strictly for them.
One dude I met had a folding camping chair. (relatively) big, awkward, weighty. But around the campfire, everyone was sitting on rocks like cavemen -- except he was enthroned on his camping chair.
Before you ask: my luxury item was a discman (this dates me, I suppose :-) ), plus a few CDs. Really awkward. Susceptible to impact and moisture, requires batteries, etc etc. But I just love to get lost in rhythm and let it drive my thoughts while I'm out hiking or biking.
Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike
#203Earlier quoted context omitted.
One of the classic British walking rations (we don't use the word 'hiking') is Kendal Mint Cake: http://oakden.co.uk/kendal-mint-cake-recipe/ It's a slab of peppermint-flavoured sugar, doused in glucose syrup, covered in chocolate. It's one of those things that you cannot possibly imagine yourself eating, until you're actually out on the hills after a long day (or several days) and you're cold and you're tired and th…
we don't use the word 'hiking' Yes we do.
I don't have many sources but I believe the word 'hiking' is a relatively recent American import. The OED lists a lot of American historical examples, but only relatively recent ones in the UK
I would just call it walking, or tabbing if it's at an aggressive pace. Old people seem to call it rambling, but that makes it sound a bit lazy I think.
Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike
#204Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike
#205Earlier quoted context omitted.
> I vividly recall one of their dinners: Dried ramen noodle, straight from the bag. I'm embarrassed to admit how many times I've eaten that on hikes. For my next long hike I'm probably going to ditch my stove completely: it's not so much the weight, but personally the last thing I want to do after a day of hiking is cook.
I've heard before (could be made-up) that instant noodles in dried form is, while enjoyable, basically indigestible and devoid (even moreso than if cooked) of nutritional content
I went on a five-day hike on a whim, and was pretty badly prepared. I suddenly found myself at the head of a trail, and decided to give it a go -- the things you do when you're young and invincible.
I had a few packets of ramen. I'd eat two packets for breakfast, but alredy an hour or so later I'd feel painfully hungry again.
I dreamed of huge, juicy steaks like you wouldn't believe.
After I returned to the world, I treated myself to the biggest steak the supermarket sold. DELICIOUS.
Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike
#206Earlier quoted context omitted.
> I vividly recall one of their dinners: Dried ramen noodle, straight from the bag. I'm embarrassed to admit how many times I've eaten that on hikes. For my next long hike I'm probably going to ditch my stove completely: it's not so much the weight, but personally the last thing I want to do after a day of hiking is cook.
I've heard before (could be made-up) that instant noodles in dried form is, while enjoyable, basically indigestible and devoid (even moreso than if cooked) of nutritional content
Well it's all carbs. I don't see how adding water changes the macronutrient makeup.
Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike
#207Earlier quoted context omitted.
A good way is to sign up for group hikes and camping trips from REI and other places. You can also look for hiking clubs and ask for help, or find people at work/school who hike. Finally, you can start doing research by yourself and learn by (sometimes painful) trial and error. My first major hike (9 days at Torres del Paine, solo, I was 19) was hell, shitty gear, overweight backpack and so on, but was amazing and I…
Just a small comment I don't recommend anyone to try to learn hikes/camping by themselves. Hike and camp with a buddy until you are very, very experienced (even then I still recommend not being alone).
there can be no real adventure without danger, just a well-controlled experience. you can easily camp for 1 night not far from civilization, no real danger anywhere... very rewarding experiences
Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike
#208We can say with relative certainty that the body fat measurements are incorrect and can be discarded. When you see glaring errors such as the assumption that the author was 5% body fat at the end of his hike,it makes you question the other metrics as well. To the authors credit he points out that bioelectrical impedance is flawed. Cool hike though!
As long as he used the same equipment before and after, does it matter? The Point is the change, not the exact numbers.
Hydration levels can cause it to fluctuate dramatically. Most are also calibrated for an "average" level of fitness, and state that if you are an athlete, the numbers may be inaccurate.
So if he went from typical fitness to "athlete" fitness, or typical hydration to shortly-after-long-hike hydration, the error range for the second may be much wider than the first.
That said, he undoubtedly lost fat. The BF% measurement change is likely not an accurate measurement of how much he lost.
Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike
#209I 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.…
When you carry your gear for a thousands of miles, you reevaluate what you really need. A stove is not needed because food can be consumed raw. A full tent is not needed because a basic tarp and careful site selection are enough to keep a person dry while sleeping. Toilet paper is not needed because smooth rocks, leaves and other material found on the trail can be used to wipe.
I hiked 400 miles of the AT and while you're technically right, I found that cooked food made me feel better, having a shelter (I hammocked) made my sleep more restful, and I couldn't trust myself not to accidentally wipe my ass with some poison plant, so I was glad I had TP.
Re: What Happens to Your Body on a Thru-Hike
#210How 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.
You just kind of... do it. Step 1.) Pack what this dude tells you to and follow his advice for food -- http://www.adventurealan.com/best-backpacking-food/ Step 2.) Go when temperates are cool at night, but not cold (high 40F as a minimum). This allows you to buy cheap gear to learn with. Step 3.) Pack the gear this guy tells you to -- https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-ultimate-hikers-gear-gu... Step 4.) Buy the ch…
REI Garage Sales are excellent sources of incredibly cheap and good equipment. Become an REI member so you can take advantage!