"Death March" -vs- "Cathartic trance"

[Skyclimber]

If we didn't we'd never get out of there.

Big Macs, Diet Dew, Michigans, Chips, whatever the craving on the way out, seems to keep me moving.

[whitelief]

Thinking?

People do that at the end of a brutal day? I just go on auto-trance mode. Totally Zen.

[Kevin]

I thought about nothing really during the whole decent. I just managed to put one foot in front of the other while the world disappeared.

That's a pretty deep trance. Our bodies do wonderful things to shelter us from pain and exhaustion. You sounded tired!

[NukedRocket]

That's been my 'tradition' since sometime last winter. Exit 23 is making a small fortune off me.

Of course, any benefit from hiking is lost after the first Big Mac.

I'll second that, exept when the freakin' shake machine is broken, which seems like every other time there Then I have to wait til I hit Glens Falls, seems like that takes forever too!

[kingof14ers]

For me I remember the climb of my life and how I really should have made it an overnighter instead of a day hike. Some day I would like to go back, but pack in, sleep, climb, decend to camp, sleep, pack out.

About 8 years ago a friend and I decide it was time to check Capitol Peak off our list. We thought it wouldn't be too bad if we just started early and did the whole thing in a single day. Well we got to the trailhead at 10pm, crashed, and got up at 1am. So we were working on 3 hours sleep.

We decended immediately about 400' and crossed a stream and started up the 6 mile approach to the base of the mountain near Capitol Lake. After reaching the summit with some Class 4 climbing and quite a bit of exposure, we headed back down, but we got separated somehow. In any case the route is like 18 miles roundtrip and a little over 6000' of gain.

By the time I got back down to the lake safe and sound, I had 6 miles to get back to the car. It was more of a catatonic (sp) walk more than a trance or death march. I knew I was near the end when I came upon the creek. Instead of taking my boots off to cross it barefoot, I just waded across socks, boots, and all. I was too exhausted to take them off. I then had 400' of going uphill before I could air out my boots and pass out on a large rock waiting for my friend to return.

I thought about nothing really during the whole decent. I just managed to put one foot in front of the other while the world disappeared.

[Kevin]

Just tell yourself left foot forward, right foot forward and yes, MacDonald's when we were done.

That's been my 'tradition' since sometime last winter. Exit 23 is making a small fortune off me.

Of course, any benefit from hiking is lost after the first Big Mac.

Sometimes it's that whole "false hope" thing that gets me.

I stopped caring 'how far is it' to the car when I realized one day [5W lightbulb went on] that it really doesn't matter how much further it is -- I HAVE to hike it anyway!

[NukedRocket]

For me it was difficult descending a trail near a road (ex. Cascade, Whiteface). I remember hearing a motorcycle on the way down from Whiteface and thought "I can hear the road! We must be REALLY close to the car!", only to realize, it's just a biker coming down the toll road
Sometimes it's that whole "false hope" thing that gets me.

[AlphaDog]

I never thought the Noonmark's food was all that bad. It’s very plain and ordinary, but I never expect a gourmet meal from any diner.

that's true...it's what i've built up the food to be in my own head after a long hike....LOL!

[lumberzac]

I never thought the Noonmark's food was all that bad. It’s very plain and ordinary, but I never expect a gourmet meal from any diner.

[Judgeh]

It's always a good idea in theory to hit the Noonmark after a long hike....but the food....not so good. I've heard the desserts are really good though.

It's "if you're starving, you'll eat it" food.

The people are nice.

[AlphaDog]

I'll second that. I Never liked the Noonmark Diner's Food.

It's always a good idea in theory to hit the Noonmark after a long hike....but the food....not so good. I've heard the desserts are really good though.

[Skyclimber]

I'll second that. I Never liked the Noonmark Diner's Food.

[AlphaDog]

I think about Noonmark Diner grilled cheese sandwiches and a big bowl of chili....until i actually get to the diner to realize the food isn't all that great!

[Skyclimber]

My worst death march ever was our 17 hour Winter Hike to Allen. Snowshoes on from the car, pounding through 2-3 Feet of snow every inch of the way. The only thing that kept me going was the fact a good friend needed this peak towards her Winter 46er quest. Just tell yourself left foot forward, right foot forward and yes, MacDonald's when we were done. That was my 5th and last Winter Hike to Allen !!

[fvrwld]

I try to think about anything but my feet.

If its an overnight hike..."I hope that lean-to/site is open"