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… I don't buy into the coffee, soda, alcohol makes things worse mantra. If that were actual reality, I'd of dried up and blown away years ago…

I agree completely, DB, although I’m a little more conscious today to make sure I drink enough water during the day as I was when I was younger.  I always get amused when my high school students on our Friday workouts want to take a break after the first 10 minutes to get a drink…I usually tell them to suck it up and that they’ll survive for a little bit longer without hydrating.   :'(


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[quote]I'm 2/3 thirds of the way done with this tough physical trip...not sure I'm enjoying it that much.

That sucks. Would you do it again? [/quote]

I was fine by late morning the next day.  A wonderful calm, quiet sunrise with some coffee and a couple hours of fishing on calm waters has a way of making the tough journey well worth it.  I’d do a tough long trip again, but I usually don’t travel for several days straight.  I think I prefer a couple days of travel with some layover days at favorite campsites/lakes along the way.


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[quote]Not sure I'll ever do that Death March again without the boys or a partner.

Now you totally lost me. Misery loves company? I can understand wonder, necessity, challenges and pride. Known misery? I try to avoid misery whenever possible and would never wish to share it unless begged and dragged to do so by the fully warned. And I would hope the conditions were far better the second time. ;) [/quote]

I think Jimbo summed it up better than I ever could.  When my boys (now age 19 and 21) are with me, they carry more of the load than I do, except for the canoe.  They hate carrying the canoe.  Fine by me…the canoe is way lighter and easier for me to portage than 80+ pounds worth of packs.  And being together tends to make it easier (i.e, that team thing) by helping each of us endure the toughest parts of a trip, be it several consecutive days of wet, cold weather, or those tough billygoat or boot sucking mudbaths.  When soloing, all I have is myself, and sometimes it can get somewhat discouraging, like I felt that evening after the Death March.   Would I ever do the Death March again?  Probably, but not as a solo.


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Ain't nothing wrong with getting to a camp early in the day (or late in the day) and just sitting there for a while. That's what I often do. Take time to look around, take stock and think - re-hydrate if you want to call it that or try just to remember what day it is. You may even look at a map and the sky and decide you want to press on and do it all over again later!

Totally agree, and I‘ve done all those things.  I usually get to a campsite and after unloading and maybe setting up the tent or tarp, just lounge around for awhile before getting dinner ready or securing everything for the night.  Just sitting there looking and listening to nature satisfies my soul for hours on end.