A 64-mile Dayhike
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!
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
Wow! You just don’t know when to quit, young man! :-)
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!
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!
I know. The answer to why is because its there. Yikes.
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…)
Sounds awesome, Noah! How did you lose your binoculars in the Sierras? Sounds crazy!