RESUPPLY

My latest endeavor related to the trail has been to check out resupply locations.  Through my experience, a combination of shipping myself food and buying fresh foods in town is my method of preference.  Using only one method or the other usually poses a problem of some sort.  Of course, sometimes fresh food cannot be found and a resupply consists of only a shipped box, but a good portion of the time a resupply can include food from a local grocery.

For every day of hiking, it is recommended that a hiker counts on about 2 pounds of food per day.  This means 8 days = an extra 16 pounds on the back, which is quite significant when going up and down mountainous terrain (sometimes this can lead to a fit of grumbling when hiking up a large mountain with burning leg muscles; hikers are sometimes known to go over the edge a bit and start throwing things in frustration to lighten the load.  We'll try to avoid that...).  Either way, a balance of resupplies is essential: not too long in between to avoid extremely heavy packs but not too short in between to avoid wasting valuable hiking time.

I have been researching our potential stops, meaning I have strategically picked towns along the trail that seem to fit our mileage and food needs, as well as our need for laundry facilities and showers.  Our resupply locations, as of now, look something like this:

Breckenridge: approx. mile 105
Leadville: approx. mile 171
Salida: approx. mile 253
Creede: approx. mile 344
Silverton: approx. mile 412

For each town, I am researching places to:

-Find internet access and a computer so I can update the blog
-Buy fresh groceries
-Send our resupply box
-Take a shower
-Potentially find a ride to and/or from the trail (some of the towns are a significant distance off the trail)
-Potentially stay overnight in town by camping at a local campground or finding a local hostel

I spent a good portion of my day yesterday making phone calls and looking up information.  Eventually, I will generate and print a map for each town.  Each map and information sheet will go in the previous resupply box so we will have the information we need when we reach the next town.

Here is an example of the information sheet for Breckenridge so far:

BRECKENRIDGE (80424), about 4-5 miles off the trail

A. SHOWERS: $6 at Breckenridge Recreation Center

880 Airport Road

970-453-1734

Townofbreckenridge.com

Hours: Mon-Fri, 6-9, Sat 7-7, Sun 8-7

B. LIBRARY:

504 Airport Road

970-453-6098

Summitcountylibraries.org

Hours: Mon-Thurs 9-6, Fri 9-5, Sat 1-5

C. FOOD:  City Market

400 North Park Ave

970-453-0818

Hours: 6-11 every day

D. LAUNDRY: Norge Laundry

105 South French Street

970-547-4614

E. OUTFITTER: Mountain Outfitters

112 S. Ridge Road

970-453-2201

Mtnoutfitters.com

Hours: Mon-Sat 9-7, Sun 9-6

F. RESUPPLY: Post Office

305 S. Ridge St.

Breckenridge, Co 80424

970-453-5467

Hours: Mon-Fri 8-5, Sat 10-1

SHUTTLE:

Summit Stage (bus)

970-668-0999

www.cosummit.co.us

free

I enjoyed some of my conversations with local business owners, my favorite from yesterday being the owner of the Leadville Hostel.  When I asked his name, I wasn't sure I heard him correctly, as I thought he said "Wild Bill."  I inquired, "Do you go by 'Bill' or 'Wild Bill'?"  He responded confidently with "Wild Bill."  I'm sure I'm going to love these trail towns.

Next up: the ongoing debate: shoes or boots??

Semi-Long Hike Training

We got our first little dose of a longer hike today as we headed out into the wooded wilderness of Brookville Lake State Park.  The weather is finally getting to a place where it is allowing us some time outdoors, and so we took advantage of Ben's second-to-last day of spring break by hiking an approximate 8-mile loop.  I have never hiked around Brookville Lake, but I must say that it was rather enjoyable.  The trip included some pack-weight (I packed up a picnic lunch with some heavier items as well as a significant amount of water), so it felt good to have some weight as we hiked along.  With lunch included, we were on the trail for about 3 1/2 hours today.  

I do have to say, though, that the older I get, the more I feel every activity.  Even from a fairly easy 8 miles today, I can already tell my legs are getting sore.  This is on top of all the soreness I feel from yesterday's yoga workout.  I continue to be amazed at how long it takes to get in shape and yet how quickly one can get out of shape...why can't it be the other way around?  

My encouragement, though, is that one of the nice things about backpacking is that just about anyone can do it, regardless of physical endurance levels (or age for that matter).  The hiking can always be taken slower and at less mileage to compensate for any lack of physical shape.  The trail has its own way of whipping those who chose to hike into good condition.  

The training will continue for the next couple months and hopefully increase in intensity as we get into better shape...that's the plan, anyway.  We'll see what happens--sometimes life gets in the way of good intentions.