Stats

Start: Dirt Road – Mile 1,430.4
End: Girder Creek Campground – Mile 1,649.5
Elevation Max: 7,386
Elevation Min: 2,002
Elevation Change: 65,896 up & down
Walking Time: 66 hrs 9 minutes
Date: 7/13/2022 – 7/18/2022

The Walk

Day 102 – Dirt road to Ash camp (1,430.4 – 1,470.9)
Day 103 – Ash camp to Burstarse Creek (1,470.9 – 1,510)
Day 104 – Burstarse Creek to Spring (1,510 – 1,549.7)
Day 105 – Spring to Tentsite (1,549.7 – 1,586.1)
Day 106 – Tentsite to Tentsite (1,596.1 – 1,617)
Day 107 – Tentsite to Girder Creek Campground (1,617 – 1,649.5)

The new shoes breathed life into me. All the odd knee and foot pains were gone. I loved spending the last few weeks with a tramily. But it felt nice to be solo and ready to rip.

After spending 3 weeks casually hiking or at the festival I was itching to do big miles. Ever since my 50 mile day during the Techapachi Challenge with Jackrabbit I have been curious about consistent big miles. What would that feel like? Would I enjoy it?

This is the perfect time to find out! If your not willing to take a risk and find out, you’ll never know what you missed out on.

The next 7 days I averaged 36.5 miles. They were my hardest on trail. With multiple 40+ mile days. Northern California isn’t the best place to do big miles because the terrain is hilly, averaging about 10k elevation change per day. But I was ready to push my limits.

This week was the most consistent “flow state” I’ve ever had. The feeling of focus and clarity of thought. The discomfort and pain were present but not overbearing. I learned as much about backpacking in this week than I have the past 3 months.

How to move quickly and efficiently but still take breaks. How your day can be designed by you. Designed to put you in the highest state of mind.

Every action on a big day is a trade off. If you decide to cook dinner (boil water) then you’ll spend an hour. You could have hiked 3 miles in that time if you ate a cold dinner. I learned to prep snacks while taking a 10 minute break. This stretch was a constant multi-task in search of the most efficient day.

I learned pushing consistently BIG miles isn’t for me. The 40+ mile days took a toll on my body and I have a newfound respect for people who set the fastest known time of a trail. They often average 50+ miles per day. Holy smokes!

But I wouldn’t trade the learnings and new perspective I gained over the last week.

My goal for the last month of trail is to put myself in the highest state of mind. To properly fuel, rest, and push miles. To find the flow of body and mind.

This stretch has been dirtiest or my body. Longest without a shower I think. But I don’t mind it at all. I like it, I feel connected to the earth. And the animals.

In the morning I’m walking into Sied Valley (they have a diner and a massive exposed climb)!! My goal is to start hiking at 5. So I can get to breakfast at 7. Then I can resupply, zip out and climb out of Sied Valley before it get too hot!

Day 102

Days 103 & 104

Days 105 – 107