I see that on your schedule you hiked (or were supposed to hike) about 35 miles per day. I am planning a hike in colorado in early August that will take me along the CDT for several days. Now clearly you are in excellent shape, but what I am wondering is if I will be able to sustain about 15 miles a day. I am by no means in bad physical condition but I am not exactly in top condition either. Any input will be helpful.
Thanks
Milage on the CDT
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FrancisTapon
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Who can sustain 15 miles per day in Colorado?
If you're in average shape (e.g., you can climb several flights of stairs without needing long breaks on your way up), then you can hike 15 miles a day in Colorado in early August.
The #1 secret to doing more miles than you think you can do is getting an early start! Wake up at 5 a.m., eat something, and start hiking! Enjoy the sunrise! Before you know it, you'll have 5-10 miles in before noon! If thunderstorms come in the afternoon, you can wait them out and not feel any pressure since you'll have most of your 15 miles done.
The #2 secret is learning to love going uphill and taking them steadily and as fast as comfortable. Don't go so fast that you need to take a break. Find an uphill pace that you can sustain for 30 minutes or more without a break. Just poke along steadily and vigorously. It's more important to move steadily than to sprint and stop.
Most healthy people could have walked next to me on the CDT. I was never walking fast. A 63-year old man hiked with me for half a day on the CDT.
Do the math: The reason I could do 35+ miles was I woke up early (4-5am) and finished late (9-10pm). Doing 15 hours of hiking at 3 miles an hour, gives you 45 miles. Doing 2 miles an hour (very modest pace), gives you 30 miles. So I walked just a bit faster than 2 miles an hour and found doing at least 35 miles a day sustainable. I'm not superman and I'm convinced that most people, with a bit of training can do what I did (if they wanted to).
Doing 15 miles/day in Colorado is a lot of work, but if you wake up early and tackle those uphills with a steady pace (even just 1 mph), then you'll achieve your goal!
Happy trails!
The #1 secret to doing more miles than you think you can do is getting an early start! Wake up at 5 a.m., eat something, and start hiking! Enjoy the sunrise! Before you know it, you'll have 5-10 miles in before noon! If thunderstorms come in the afternoon, you can wait them out and not feel any pressure since you'll have most of your 15 miles done.
The #2 secret is learning to love going uphill and taking them steadily and as fast as comfortable. Don't go so fast that you need to take a break. Find an uphill pace that you can sustain for 30 minutes or more without a break. Just poke along steadily and vigorously. It's more important to move steadily than to sprint and stop.
Most healthy people could have walked next to me on the CDT. I was never walking fast. A 63-year old man hiked with me for half a day on the CDT.
Do the math: The reason I could do 35+ miles was I woke up early (4-5am) and finished late (9-10pm). Doing 15 hours of hiking at 3 miles an hour, gives you 45 miles. Doing 2 miles an hour (very modest pace), gives you 30 miles. So I walked just a bit faster than 2 miles an hour and found doing at least 35 miles a day sustainable. I'm not superman and I'm convinced that most people, with a bit of training can do what I did (if they wanted to).
Doing 15 miles/day in Colorado is a lot of work, but if you wake up early and tackle those uphills with a steady pace (even just 1 mph), then you'll achieve your goal!
Happy trails!
- Francis Tapon
http://FrancisTapon.com
http://FrancisTapon.com
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Wrongway
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Re: Milage on the CDT
Great idea. Going to try it this weekend.