April 28, 2009

WE MADE IT!!!!




This weekend, we went back to Pickens, South Carolina, with our pastor and lovely wife (J.D. and Margie Hatfield) to conquer Table Rock Mountain.

YEE HAW!!!!! What a challenge.
Dan and I thought this would be a good tester to see just how "prepared" we are for our 76 mile hike coming up this fall. Well, we both received a serious reality check. We did make it all the way up to the top and back,
however, we definetly are looking at the upcoming hike alittle differently. It's time for some SERIOUS hiking prep. Dan carried about 45 pounds on his back up Table Rock, and I carried a WHOPPING maybe 7. It was quite comfortable though. But after talking to our friends who have hiked numerous trails across the U.S.A. including the Foothills Trail, the average hiker carries 1/5 of their weight in their pack. That's about 25 pounds for me....UUUGGGG!!!! Needless to say, Dan and I both have realized just how challenging this is going to be and to increase our training for the fall hike, DRASTICALLY!!! It's time to enroll in the THUNDERBOLT TRAINING PROGRAM...yikes. Right now we are continuing our endurance training using the Mountaineer Stair Climber, and now are adding walking with our backpacks loaded with 1/5 of our weight. This should be interesting for me. I wonder if I'll make it past the drive way?