Day to day routine has become pretty settled in. I wake up around 5-5:30 am and start hot water while I break down camp. Then I eat breakfast, consisting of instant grits and oatmeal and then finish packing my bag. I usually camp around water so I will filter enough to leave camp with 2 L of clean water. Then I stuff my hip pockets with snickers, honey buns, cliff bars, and starburst before I start hiking. I can average 2 mph with breaks at a leisurely pace now. I usually plan water before I leave in the morning. I snack through the day, but lunch is often cheese, meat or avocado with tortillas. I try to walk 18-24 miles per day now, which ends up being 9-12 hours of walking a day. When I get into camp (either a campsite or shelter) I hang my rain tarp for the hammock or throw my sleeping pad down to claim a spot. Dinner then consists of freeze-dried backpacking meals, Knorr pasta sides, or ramen. If all went well I have some time to relax before going to bed by 9:30 pm. I somewhat plan my weeks while I am in town as I don’t like to carry more than 5 days worth of food at a time. When I get into town I inventory food, make a shopping list, shower, put on clean cloths, and start laundry before going about fining the highest calorie per dollar dinning establishment in the vicinity. In towns I try to either split a cheap hotel room with people or stay in a hostel along the trail. I probably manage to shower and resupply about every 4-5 days. Last, but not least town means beer, and nothing ever sounds better than a cold beer!
