Joat - Oregon Desert Trail Journal - 2014

SUMMARY: West Terminus to Paisley- what I learned

I should have added water caches at WB022 and WB067. With my awesome headlamp (Zebralight H600W), night hiking enabled me to stretch out meager (for me) water supplies. At the same time, I went two days with only a handful of hours sleep, leaning on caffeine pills to keep going long after I should have called it a day. This sort of abuse took it's toll on my body and fundamentally goes against my primary motivation and interest in long distance hiking though. Several days later and my heals are still sensitive and my plantar fasciitis is bothering me more than normal.

Hiking between waypoints on trailless sections can be a lot of work. Tread (soft sand, rocks) can require a lot more effort/muscles and combined with obstructions (sage, rocks, etc...) can make for more miles (i.e. zig-zagging across path of travel). My rate of progress probably dropped in half (or less) vs. clear tracks with good tread.

On hot days, I need better shelter to escape from the heat of the day sun on treeless sections. I'm thinking a reflective mylar space blanket taped to the tent might do the trick, so long as the wind isn't too strong. Need to do some more experimentation here.

The 8oz GoLite umbrella works well while walking, or taking quick breaks, but dosn't provide relief from moisture seeking flies and isn't ideal for sleeping under. It will fold up under strong gusts, but is fortunately durable and easy enough to reset.

My Solomon GTX 4D boots were likely warmer than running shoes would have been, but held up great to all the rocks and thorny bushes. Changing socks frequently helped keep my feet from sweating and no blisters as a result. Conversely, Tomato's LonePeaks already looked pretty torn up by the time he got to Paisley.

Entry 14 of 14
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