WETSU and I as a follow up to last years drill https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/tactics_and_training/74706-backwards_bug_out_drill_aar.html decided to try to ruck 48 miles in three days and two nights with only our packs. Our plan was to do 12 miles on day one, 24 day two and 12 (with two other friends) on day three.
We started day one at about mid day, it was cloudy and in the mid twenty's is my guess with snow off and on. The 12 miles was uneventful, we took hourly hydration/food breaks which turned out to be a good habit. I knew right off what my challenges would be. My hips and feet.
We got back and set up our camp.
WETSU's shelter
Mine
Sorry for the dark picks but the blackberry is lame in low light. Just some tarps and some homemade Silnylon.
It was cold and every time we stopped our temps dropped rapidly so we needed to keep active or keep close to the fire. After shelter making and wood gathering WETSU got a fire going and we cooked up some dinner.
I had a mountain house grilled chicken and mashed potato, it was great I would buy more of it. Hot herbal tea is good and hydrating you and warming you up. Our nalgene bottles always had ice in them, and the necks sometimes needed pounded out with a knife to free the ice up so we could drink.
After a beer and swig of Scotch and Chocolate Martini we hit the rack at about 10 pm. Just before sleeping we had a pop tart smeared with chocolate peanut butter, to keep the furnace lit. I slept in a -20 High Peak bag over a thermarest and plastic as a vapor barrier. I made the mistake of not clearing all the frozen dirt clods from under my bed and had to move a little. I also did not have enough insulation under and cold creeped up and I got chilly off and on that night. I took my headlamp and water bottle with me in the bag. I ended up using my empty vitamin water bottle to urinate into while in my bag. It was too cold to get out, I filled it. Sleep was fitful couple hours here and there, I am guessing 4 to 5 hours total. We were awakened by about 10 yotes within 300 yards all howling and yipping at once.
Breakfast was made from our bags with our stoves my old stove needs new seals and maintenance, I will be getting an instant on one that is easier to use from a sleeping bag. I started with some instant coffee loaded with about 5 Tbls of hot cocoa, then 2 pop tarts. We had 24 miles to do today and we needed to get going. The biggest problem was trying jam my feet into my frozen boots, and get them laced up with fingers that were not working. No dexterity when they are that cold. We warmed up quickly though once we started the ruck.
At the end of 12 miles on the second day, I was done. My feet hurt bad, I was zoning just staring at WETSU's heels trying to keep going. We stopped at a creek to refill our water, drink eat and medicate. I took a sudephed (sp) aspirin, and caffeine pill. Drank some water and ate some granola. We got really cold stopping but had to. We did the first 12 in 3:45. As we started the second, I got an energy burst, and we cranked it out. This lasted for nine or 10 miles. We still took regular scheduled hydration and fuel breaks. Checked out voice mails and emails from work. Technology allows both of us to work from a smart phone if needed. Here is WETSU calling a referral new client, after 18 miles on the second day.
The last few miles on day two were tough but not as bad as earlier in the day. We finished the second 12 miles in 3:30, 15 min faster than the first. We both had endorphins raging through our bodies. At one point while on a bridge, staring at the water and wooden slats the bridge seemed to shrink and get smaller. We also noticed when we were seated, the wrinkles in our pants were moving like a mirage. Natures acid I guess. Be made it back to camp tired but happy. Before heading to camp I grabbed a huge armful of marsh grass to insulate my bed.
Back at camp made a fire, hydrated and rehydrated some chili I had dried. I was not hungry but knew I should be so I ate it all. I also made trail bananna pudding, but did not try it. We had a friend meeting us at camp this night and rucking with us on the final day. I got in bed early lack of sleep the night before and the miles were taking there toll. A buddy joined us at camp for the night and would be doing the final 12 miles in the morning.
The final morning was the coldest yet. Our buddy made a fire and we needed it. Packing up and getting into frozen boots and gear was hard. We met up with another friend for the final twelve. It was a beautiful day but the wind was crazy cold. We trudged through thinking with every step, "My feet are killing me" The end was in sight there was no way we were not finishing. We made it.
Gear I took.
We both had a rifle, and handgun. I used Walmart ripstop sewn into a tarp and dipped in silcone for a shelter. Tried out a new jacket a Columbia convertable I got off ebay for 40 bucks. It worked very well. Breathes well and allowed me to vent and unvent quickly. I wore UA long sleave and poly pro long underwear top under it. When we stopped I put on a heavy wool sweater. Long underwear bottoms and cotton cargo pants. Smart Wools, liners and Wigwams for socks. I planned on shooting a squirrel or two but never saw one in a hunting zone. First time I used this pack, its an light weight hiking pack I have not tested yet. Osprey Aether 60 very comfortable up to about 35 pounds. My total pack weight including my rifle and water was just over 30 lbs.
Gear on my body.
Takeaways:
Don't say I could do it if I had to. If you have not done you don't know.
I never expected how hard it would be on my feet and hips. I only had one blister that reabsorbed but it felt like the bones in my feet were crushed, and that my hip joints were grinding bone on bone.
I brought more clothes did not use them. I should have brought 3x more socks. Foot care is critical.
When you think you done and can not move another step, keep on course you never know when your second wind will kick in. I thought I was done after 12th miles on day 2. Turns out the second 12 was our fastest yet, and we ended up almost jogging up hills that I was sludging up earlier.
Schedule your rest and hydration, and keep to it. We did this well reminding each other its time to stop. This kept us from getting behind the ball.
When you are energized take advantage of it. We really made good time doing this.
Endorphins are a good thing at the price of mental acuity. Pay extra attention to your footing. One rolled ankle and you are done.
That is all I have for now, I will post more as it comes to me, I am sure WETSU has a word to say and pics to share.
We started day one at about mid day, it was cloudy and in the mid twenty's is my guess with snow off and on. The 12 miles was uneventful, we took hourly hydration/food breaks which turned out to be a good habit. I knew right off what my challenges would be. My hips and feet.
We got back and set up our camp.
WETSU's shelter
Mine
Sorry for the dark picks but the blackberry is lame in low light. Just some tarps and some homemade Silnylon.
It was cold and every time we stopped our temps dropped rapidly so we needed to keep active or keep close to the fire. After shelter making and wood gathering WETSU got a fire going and we cooked up some dinner.
I had a mountain house grilled chicken and mashed potato, it was great I would buy more of it. Hot herbal tea is good and hydrating you and warming you up. Our nalgene bottles always had ice in them, and the necks sometimes needed pounded out with a knife to free the ice up so we could drink.
After a beer and swig of Scotch and Chocolate Martini we hit the rack at about 10 pm. Just before sleeping we had a pop tart smeared with chocolate peanut butter, to keep the furnace lit. I slept in a -20 High Peak bag over a thermarest and plastic as a vapor barrier. I made the mistake of not clearing all the frozen dirt clods from under my bed and had to move a little. I also did not have enough insulation under and cold creeped up and I got chilly off and on that night. I took my headlamp and water bottle with me in the bag. I ended up using my empty vitamin water bottle to urinate into while in my bag. It was too cold to get out, I filled it. Sleep was fitful couple hours here and there, I am guessing 4 to 5 hours total. We were awakened by about 10 yotes within 300 yards all howling and yipping at once.
Breakfast was made from our bags with our stoves my old stove needs new seals and maintenance, I will be getting an instant on one that is easier to use from a sleeping bag. I started with some instant coffee loaded with about 5 Tbls of hot cocoa, then 2 pop tarts. We had 24 miles to do today and we needed to get going. The biggest problem was trying jam my feet into my frozen boots, and get them laced up with fingers that were not working. No dexterity when they are that cold. We warmed up quickly though once we started the ruck.
At the end of 12 miles on the second day, I was done. My feet hurt bad, I was zoning just staring at WETSU's heels trying to keep going. We stopped at a creek to refill our water, drink eat and medicate. I took a sudephed (sp) aspirin, and caffeine pill. Drank some water and ate some granola. We got really cold stopping but had to. We did the first 12 in 3:45. As we started the second, I got an energy burst, and we cranked it out. This lasted for nine or 10 miles. We still took regular scheduled hydration and fuel breaks. Checked out voice mails and emails from work. Technology allows both of us to work from a smart phone if needed. Here is WETSU calling a referral new client, after 18 miles on the second day.
The last few miles on day two were tough but not as bad as earlier in the day. We finished the second 12 miles in 3:30, 15 min faster than the first. We both had endorphins raging through our bodies. At one point while on a bridge, staring at the water and wooden slats the bridge seemed to shrink and get smaller. We also noticed when we were seated, the wrinkles in our pants were moving like a mirage. Natures acid I guess. Be made it back to camp tired but happy. Before heading to camp I grabbed a huge armful of marsh grass to insulate my bed.
Back at camp made a fire, hydrated and rehydrated some chili I had dried. I was not hungry but knew I should be so I ate it all. I also made trail bananna pudding, but did not try it. We had a friend meeting us at camp this night and rucking with us on the final day. I got in bed early lack of sleep the night before and the miles were taking there toll. A buddy joined us at camp for the night and would be doing the final 12 miles in the morning.
The final morning was the coldest yet. Our buddy made a fire and we needed it. Packing up and getting into frozen boots and gear was hard. We met up with another friend for the final twelve. It was a beautiful day but the wind was crazy cold. We trudged through thinking with every step, "My feet are killing me" The end was in sight there was no way we were not finishing. We made it.
Gear I took.
We both had a rifle, and handgun. I used Walmart ripstop sewn into a tarp and dipped in silcone for a shelter. Tried out a new jacket a Columbia convertable I got off ebay for 40 bucks. It worked very well. Breathes well and allowed me to vent and unvent quickly. I wore UA long sleave and poly pro long underwear top under it. When we stopped I put on a heavy wool sweater. Long underwear bottoms and cotton cargo pants. Smart Wools, liners and Wigwams for socks. I planned on shooting a squirrel or two but never saw one in a hunting zone. First time I used this pack, its an light weight hiking pack I have not tested yet. Osprey Aether 60 very comfortable up to about 35 pounds. My total pack weight including my rifle and water was just over 30 lbs.
Gear on my body.
Takeaways:
Don't say I could do it if I had to. If you have not done you don't know.
I never expected how hard it would be on my feet and hips. I only had one blister that reabsorbed but it felt like the bones in my feet were crushed, and that my hip joints were grinding bone on bone.
I brought more clothes did not use them. I should have brought 3x more socks. Foot care is critical.
When you think you done and can not move another step, keep on course you never know when your second wind will kick in. I thought I was done after 12th miles on day 2. Turns out the second 12 was our fastest yet, and we ended up almost jogging up hills that I was sludging up earlier.
Schedule your rest and hydration, and keep to it. We did this well reminding each other its time to stop. This kept us from getting behind the ball.
When you are energized take advantage of it. We really made good time doing this.
Endorphins are a good thing at the price of mental acuity. Pay extra attention to your footing. One rolled ankle and you are done.
That is all I have for now, I will post more as it comes to me, I am sure WETSU has a word to say and pics to share.
Let alone walk 48 miles and camp twice.
Hard core! Rock on!
