The answer is yes. Yesterday was really the first time I've considered stopping. After 24 miles in two days, the weight of my pack is become increasingly apparent as an issue. It's not the muscles or even joint issues but actually the high friction spots where the weight sits that give up before the will power does: my shoulders, hips, lower back and forearms are pretty raw.
I've reached Luray, VA and am taking an opportunity, not just to take a couple days off, but also to make some adjustments to what I'm carrying.
The major changes:
- Drop the ceramic, pump filter and Nalgene bottles for lighter, squeezable life water bottles and an attachable filter.
- Drop the Jetboil for an ultralight small framed burner.
- swap to all synthetic clothes
I haven't weighed my pack but I will work on getting some stats. I'm hoping the lower weight will really allow me to cover the 10+ miles between Shenendoah shelters more easily.
Fortunately a warm bed and some hot meals are giving me a reinforced resolve.
A mile has become both shorter and longer to me. Compared to the fast life we live while driving, flying, etc walking is so much slower that you feel every footstep, every tree and patch of grass between where you are and where you're going. To me, a mile is so much more than the sixty seconds of passing electrical poles.
As I get my trail legs though, I feel more and more physically capable. One mile isn't the daunting challenge it used to be.