Rains2girl

Sunday morning we headed out for our first real practice hike with loaded packs. We're both carrying the REI Flash62 I had 20 lbs (4lbs water) and F4ever had 32 (6 lbs water). We're using Camelpaks and they're really convenient and even in the Florida heat and humidity, kept the water cool for quite a while. The REI packs have a hook for the resevior to keep it in place as it empties.

We found a semi-hilly mountain bike park close by on the Doris Leper Preserve that even though the hills don't compare to what we'll be hiking on the AT, still gave us a good workout. We did encounter some bikes, but the trails are so twisty that the bikers can't really get up much speed and we were always able to spot them coming and step out of the way. Terrain was a little uneven in places with lots of roots to watch for and the occasional drop-off to step down or up. We did 2 circuits of the trail, when we reached the trailhead, we turned and walked in the opposite direction

We hiked to the "Bluff" and shared a Backpacker's Pantry-Chicken Cashew Curry with Rice and some fresh fruit. The curry was good-lots of nuts and chicken for protein and plenty of rice. It really hit the spot and only 18% sodium per serving, much lower than some of the others we've tried. It kept us going all through the hike. We hiked 7.8 miles total in about 4 hours.

My pack is awesome! It rode on my hips and never pulled on my shoulders or neck at all. It feels like it was made for me.

By the end of the hike, I felt some twinges in my feet and knees but the next morning I woke with no aches or pains at all