A week ago we finished outlining our training plan for our epic 211-mile John Muir Trail backpacking trip. Being active and physically fit are the primary objectives, but we also want to know how our bodies will respond to day-after-day of hiking, carrying a backpack, and at higher altitudes than our normal sea-level existence provides.
We routinely hike 2-3 times a week already, but now that daylight savings time has returned, our after-work hiking opportunities have happily multiplied. Which is good, since this is our first monthly Hell Week.
No, hiking isn’t hell (usually) and we’re not cramming for finals. Our version of hell week involves five consecutive days of hiking for a total of at least 40 miles. Not really so bad, but more rigorous than a typical week.
For our purposes, this week began with a 7 mile hike on the Colinas Bluff trail Saturday morning, followed by a 19 mile hike up Blackstar Canyon to Beek’s Place with side trips to the Indian grounds and the falls. 26 miles down, 14 to go…
And in case you’re curious, I’ll be posting details of our training plan later this week.
Until then, see you on the trails!
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