Thanks for the wealth of knowledge and advice. Packing enough food into a bear can has been a concern. I've been trying to count calories consumed on my weekend trips but, have a feeling my consumption could change drastically after the first 4 or 5 days. Great idea adding the instant rice, couscous, or potatoes to dehydrated meals. Over this past weekend I tried bringing salami, wax coated cheese, and tortillas, a couple weeks before I tried peanut butter and crackers for lunch. For dinners I’ve been going the dehydrated route. I do tend to loose my appetite and have to force myself to eat. With the ultra marathons it’s easy; I just got all of my calories from liquid. Easy to digest and just carrying powders.
I have been training in altitude along my local section of PCT (up to 9400’). I also plan to summit Mt San Gorgonio (11503’) and Mt Baldy (10,068’) before my trip. I have done a couple of trails where the elevation gain is nearly 1000’ per mile for a couple of miles. So I’m defiantly not hiking on flat ground. Pace is about 2 mph including breaks. This past weekend was a little slower but there was lots of elevation gain to go with it.
Of course the big time constraint is work. I’d like to get this done in two weeks but my wilderness permit has me starting in Tuolumne on a Tuesday. So, I’m staying in the Valley for Saturday and Sunday night. Depending on how good I feel and my fitness level I might just try to day hike Happy Isles to Tuolumne on Monday carrying just a day pack but, that will be a decision once I’m there. I’ve heard this section is tough not to mention long.
Speaking of long, what kind of miles do most of you do on a multi-day outing? Am I being aggressive with 12 – 21 mile days? Am I out of line thinking everyone does 15 plus mile days? As far as my fitness it’s been over a year since I’ve done anything nearing the marathon level so, I’m not in near the shape I used to be in but, I’ve learned to suffer from my prior experience.
I really wasn’t looking forward to two weeks of suffering.
Altitude tends to give me headaches and bloody nose after a few days at 8000’+. Lots of water seams to help. I hear canned peaces help for some odd reason. I’ve spent a fair about of time between 8000’ and 11,000’ but never been higher than that.
Re-supply strategy is to pick up my bear can etc at Tuolumne Meadows, re-supply at Red’s Meadow, and one last re-supply at Muir Trail Ranch. Trying to keep light, I know that is the one area I can control. I’ll be treating all water with Aqua Mira. Oh and carrying 30 lbs over a 13000’ pass, I have no clue but I did just carry 26 lbs over a 9400’ pass on a 16 mile day. I will say I’m still sore from my 30 mile weekend.
Do most of you find that after a few days on the trail things start moving along better usual (i.e. easier)?
Well, that’s probably plenty for now. Again, thanks for all the wonderful advice,