This represents my (somewhat unconventional) daily hike routine.
Okay, perhaps this is the retired soldier in me, but I think routines are a wonderful thing. I’m not a slave to them, but if something works why not repeat it? With that in mind I’ve refined my hike routine over the years. Here are a few comments:
~ Sleep falls just below water and just above food on my priority list. Unfortunately, it takes until the fourth night before I am able to fully recharge overnight. I carry a few more ounces than necessary in the form of a thick and durable sleeping pad and I shoot for eight hours, every night.
~ I’ve written about my preference for early starts before. I like getting up before the coldest part of the day (which, all things being equal, occurs AFTER sunrise) and I love being on the move as the wilderness wakes up. If there is little or no moonlight a headlamp is necessary, but I carry one for evenings after dark anyway.
~ If someone were to ask me what my favorite part of thru-hiking the JMT is, I would have to say: the breaks! I often plan them out with great care in order to pick the best spots. I do NOT hurry through them. In fact, lunch usually takes a couple of hours (or slightly more) and includes a nap. Sometimes I’ll take an additional break in the morning for thirty minutes or so.
~ One of the benefits of starting early is that I don’t have to hike late. By around 5 pm I am looking for a campsite. Occasionally, if I’ve made better time that day than expected, it could be closer to 3:30 pm.
~ Once my campsite is set up (I always do that first) I top off my water, wander around and take some photos, and talk to other hikers if I’ve camped near them. (About a third of the time I seek out places where other campers are unlikely to be spending the night.) My only hot meal of the day is usually dinner, and I always eat with a view.
~ Once I’m snug in my tent (if I set up one) I finish entering notes into my hike journal for the day. Then I spend a few minutes familiarizing myself with the next day’s hike. Last, after an entire day in the wilderness, I escape back to civilization for a while by reading. Unlike many, I never select “outdoorsy” books. Give me a good mystery!
I understand that this will not be everyone’s cup of tea. What I do hope you take away is this: decide why you are out there on the trail and make sure your hike routine reflects those priorities.
Good hiking, Ray
Ray, for an 8 hour hike plan – what kind of pace can you maintain? For these “typical” days, how many miles will you be able to get in and I know that’s really up to the person, but when I consider doing this in a year +… wondering how many miles I should expect to be able to complete in a “typical” day.
I’d agree that earlier is better and think my schedule might closely match yours, it not just about 30 min later – obviously, don’t want to be searching for a campsite in the dark.
Thanks.
Typically I walk for 18 days, so I’m averaging a little less than 13 miles a day. If you don’t count the last day, which is more like 16 miles, it works out to be closer to 12. To get a better idea of what I do each day, take a look at this http://jmtbook.com/a-good-itinerary/ and this http://jmtbook.com/a-good-itinerary-part-2/. Thanks for the question, Tim!
Ray it seems you are a man cut from a similar cloth. I agree to determine what you live about being in the wild and allow your routine to reflect it… Im planning G my first JMT next summer (2017)and am feeling overwhelmed but am chipping away at it all. Been hiking in the East all summer. Thx for your wonderful insights!
Appreciate the kind words, Mark, and good luck!
I continue to appreciate each of your posts, Ray. Wish I’d had this one before my JMT hike!
Thanks, Steve. You have been with me from the beginning!
I started so late in the season, that my tent and sleeping bag were always damp in the mornings, so I wanted to dry them off before packing up. I always woke up around sunrise, but I seemed to always get a late start. Some people said that they could dry things later in the day, but I had cool and some cloudy and humid days, so I wanted to only pack a dry tent when ever possible. I never had a really “hot” summer day either.
I want to start a bit earlier this year, to finish the Kearsarge to Whitney part. I would love an earlier sunrise during the hike.
I’m an early-start kind of guy. See this: http://jmtbook.com/getting-up-early/. Thanks!