[pct-l] Books

[Jeffrey Olson]

Because I usually do three to six week section hikes and usually start 
the hike in poor shape, I cannot hike more than 8 hours a day for three 
to four weeks.  I CAN sleep 12 hours.  That leaves four hours in camp 
with nothing to do.  Early in the hike I actually doze and nap until 
dark and sleep comes.  After a week or two I don't need to doze and 
that's when a book comes in handy.  I still don't want to push my body 
more than 8 hours - I am hiking  more miles not hours - but have more 
energy in camp. 

I remember one afternoon west of Grizzly Peak before the McCloud River 
stopping for the day after 20 miles at 3PM.  I had a book, but had too 
much energy too.  I wasn't tired.  My body didn't hurt.  I was ready to 
up the number of hours.  That was an interesting moment in my hiking 
career - to be in good enough shape to push on past 3PM.  It took some 
adjustment in mental makeup...

Jeffrey Olson
Martin, SD


Jim and_or Ginny Owen wrote:
> I always carry a book when backpacking, one that will last a while.  In the desert sections, we often holed up in the shade for a couple of hours in the middle of the day.  Too hot to sleep - so what do you do?  I read.  If I didn't have a book, I got bored and moved off too soon, hiking when the heat was extreme and I ended up getting dizzy and without energy.   I also don't like pushing until dark every day - so we usually stop around 5:30 or 6:00 and I rest and read and write in my journal until dark.  If you are a reader, then definitely bring a book.  One of the reasons so many pct hikers do the huge mile days is they have nothing to do at camp, so they keep on hiking until dark.  If you want a more leisurely hike, or if your body requires you to take it a bit easier, then it is a really good idea to have some way of amusing yourself in the evening and in the middle of the day.
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> Ginny
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