A 64-mile Dayhike

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On the PCT this summer, I was all about consistency. I never tried a truly huge day (my biggest was 35.8 miles), but, increasingly, I found myself wondering: given easy trail and a light pack, how far could I really hike in one 24-hour period? (No running allowed). What if I walked from midnight to midnight?

Today, a week after finishing the PCT, it was time to find out. I’ll probably never be in better shape to attempt a 24-hour hike. In the interest of carrying as little as possible, I decided to park my car at a strategic location near some running paths in south Eugene and use it as a resupply station between a series of loops.

I started walking at 12:08 am, using a GPS to measure mileage. For six hours I walked in the dark, dodging Friday-night revelers and a sneaky skunk while waiting for the sun to come up. By dawn I’d already logged 21 miles, off to a good start.

I hit 30 miles before 11 am, somewhere on the Ridgeline Trail near Spencer Butte; I worried about my legs feeling tight, but kept a steady pace with few breaks. The afternoon was tough mentally, not close to the beginning or end, so I did a bunch of laps around the Rexius Trail and hit 50 miles around dinnertime. With legs like iron, I pushed on into the night and finally, mercifully stopped at 11:42 pm, having walked 64.0 miles (103 kilometers) in less than 24 hours!

I drove home, pulled on compression tights (purchased last year when I ran a marathon in Australia and flew home to Oregon the same afternoon), and collapsed into bed, having slept less than two hours of the previous 40. What a day! This summer has definitely redefined my perception of reasonable mileage. But, now, I’m done with long walks for a while – promise!

7 replies
  1. Tom Mickel
    Tom Mickel says:

    Noah,
    Did you hear any owls while walking around south Eugene in the dark? Congrats on the PCT hike – it never enter my mind that you wouldn’t finish, just a matter of how long it would take. Also, thanks for the summer reading!
    Tom

  2. Patricia Keene
    Patricia Keene says:

    Hi again, Noah,

    On the to next – Maine! It is beautiful here right now – lovely warm days with cool breezes! Looking forward to your next publication – book, that is!

  3. Zenobia in Portland
    Zenobia in Portland says:

    Okay, I can understand the need to push yourself, test yourself, and to try more and more adventures. But just FYI, when you run through all the land- and water-based adventures: You cannot fly! Do not try it! Otherwise, go for it!

  4. Linda
    Linda says:

    Just caught up on your Washington leg of the PCT hike. What an amazing trek… I look forward to the book and to your next adventure. I do think this 24 hour hike was a bit much, Noah. But at least it’s out of your system now. Right? (Please don’t say you’ll try walking until you fall asleep and see how far you’ll go…)

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