Need your thoughts: DH and I to hike on trip ,play it safe or not

[JulieL]

Hello everyone. Ok this may sound like a silly question to ask you all but I need an outside oppinion.

DH is an avid backpacker. This summer he did 80+ miles in 6 days in the Rockys. He is well tuff stuff for sure. I like hikes, but the longest one I've done, in the summer time mind you, was 5 miles.

I have picked up running since this summer and am up to 6.5 miles. I know my legs are at their strongest since starting to workout 2 1/2 years ago. I'm able to do PLB at the same weight as Cathe, so I feel pretty good about myself. But since I've just started running, I'm not use to intense activies in the winter weather. I actually don't think I can handle running in anything below 35F.

Ok the question:
We are going on a romantic week trip to Gatlinburg,TN next week. We want to go hiking, I actually suggested it. So DH is all excited and looked at his map of the area, and his first suggestion was a 16 mile hike! Um all I told him when he told me his first choice for our long hike (we want to do one long one, then one short one on different days) was I'd think about it. Part of me wants to say yes just because I know how much he enjoys hiking and I want to experiance this with him, but the other part says this is to much milage for a romatic trip. I mean it's 31F today in Gatlinburg, and the higher up we go the colder it will be. Plus I don't want my muscles to be screaming at me for the rest of the trip because I did such an intense activity that my body isn't use to.

Can anyone give me some advice here? I was thinking more of a 8-10 mile hike, and a 3-5 mile hike. I do think my body could handle the challenge but in extra cold weather and on a romantic trip I think maybe it's to much? anyone? Would you push it that hard or go easier?

 

[Carla K]

If you keep thinking about it and thinking you can't do it, than you won't be able to. If you think positive you will be able to. If you truly aren't wanting to then suggest to him a shorter hike.

Happy Trails!!

 

[Pellmel]

Julie - I am a hiking machine. I could not run 6.5 miles if my life depended on it.
I am expecting a girlfriend in once sec - hints later!
You can do it.
Melissa

 

[JulieL]

Melissa that would be great. I would love to say that I did this, an ego booster if you will, but I don't want to kill my bod on vacation.

 

[Pellmel]

OK - my girlfriend was just getting to the door.
If you are doing Cathe and finishing workouts, you will be fine and you will have a great time doing it.
It doesn't really depend on the distance - although 16 is a lot. It depends on the gain, or how much you will be going up. On the way up, your glutes will be challenged. On the way down, your quads will be challenged - but that is only if there is a lot of gain. A lot of gain is 2500 plus. Ask him that.
Hiking is different from regular workouts. It is about pace and keeping your energy up. Also ask him how many MPH he hikes. With breaks, I actually hike 2-3 miles per hour.
You will need to snack frequently. I usually eat a little something about every 2 hours, but some of my friends eat every hour. Bananas are great to keep energy up, nuts, fruits, etc. I really hate Powerbars, but if you would like to finish the hike strong and feel great, bring about 3 Powerbars and only eat 1/2 at a time. You always drink water (not a sports drink) with a Powerbar. Otherwise it does not digest right and you will feel awful.
Speaking of drinks, a sports drink will provide you with extra calories and energy. Cut it in half with water. My favorite is Cytomax. It is a powder that is sold at GNC, REI and high end sports stores. If you can get it - great - otherwise just use Garorade. Use is the right verb - because these types of drinks will not only help you feel great during the hike, they will reduce your recovery time.
Drink, Drink, drink, drink, drink. On long hikes I use a camelback. In 16 miles I would plan on 2 to 3 liters.
This is a vacation and you don't want to blow out in one day hiking. Drink Cytomax or Gatorade when you get back - lots of it. You muscles are doing something different and you will need to nurse them with stuff they need. This is not the time to say "Oh, I lose a some weight!"
I go on a lot of 2 or 3 day climbs/hikes with 40 lbs of my own gear, plus 10 or 15 or group or climbing gear. I went on one climb last year where there was 15 hours (minus 1 hour total combined rest) of movement! When I get home I have a 4 and 5 yr old waiting for me and they don't know the meaning of rest! I know how to still feel good on day 3 and when I get home.
Don't be afraid and if you decide to to this, I can coach you on what to bring, what not to bring, and how to have a great time! Just let me know if you need the help, but this should get you going!
When you make your decision, let me know and I will give you sock advice - you are only as good as your feet and I have blisters beat!

On the subject of cold - your problem will be that you will might be too hot! Ask your DH for help on layering and choosing the right clothing.
Melissa

 

[Renee McFar]

I think you will be in great physical shape for the hikes.

But you must remember it is winter and you do not want to take any chance of being caught in the woods after dark. It will get very cold when the sun goes down. One more thing, seriously, all the bears should be asleep, should be, but not for sure!!!

I would suggest going to either Cades Cove or Greenbrier and hiking some of the trails there. The trails can range form 2 miles to 13 miles.

One guide book I have says that the hike to The Ramsey Cascades( Greenbrier area) is only 4 miles. But to allow yourself 6-8 hours becasue it is very difficult.

Just be careful and have lots of fun. You will see many beautifyul sights!! Love those Great Somkey Mountains!!!

Renee

 

[Pellmel]

I agree with Renee 100%.
Have a turnaround time. If you are going a loop - evaluate at 1/3 if you think you will make it. If it is out and back, evaluate at 1/4 of the way.
Don't be out after dark.

Make sure your DH understands the dangers of hypothermia. You will need to bring a dry layer with you in case you sweat out your clothes. Cold and wet = danger. Most wet clothes are caused by sweat!

Melissa

 

[JulieL]

do you have the names to these trails?

 

[JulieL]

I'll get back to you for info for sure once we figure things out, thanks alot, you gave me my confidence back!

 

[JulieL]

Melissa it went great!!!

Well I had a blast on my trip to TN w/DH. We had a lot of fun together and really got to just concentrate on each other. We ended up hiking 2 of the 4 days on our trip to the Smokeys. Our first hike was 5 miles, very nice and not very hard. Our second hike - OUCH!!! We went on the Baxter Creek Trail. It was 6.2 miles to the top of Mnt. Sterling. Let me tell you this was sssoooooo hard. We had an elevation increase of 4100 ft from where we started. Our hike up was exactly that, up for 4 hours. The sucky thing was there was basically no flat ground, nor decline on our way up. Every corner we turned was up and up and up. DH never told me the elevation increase because he thought I could handle it, and I did, but let me just say, we were BOTH hurting and tired once we got up. He said this was on of the hardest 12 mile hikes he's done. He said it wasn't the length of the hike but the constant upward climb that was so hard, agreed. Your muscles never got a let down. Downwards was much better, although tiring towards the last 2 miles or so, cause it was a constant downward slope as well. Needless to day my legs killed me for 2 days. My calves bared the worse of it. They almost felt like the muscles were bruised from it. The great thing was I can say I did it, and now I'm more confident I can do longer hikes with DH and even think I'll try backpacking with him. I really think I could hike 20 miles in a day if it wasn't that intense the whole trip! So even though it was a vacation I totally did work out! Can I say I sweat sssooooo much! We ended up not having enough sunlite to do the round trip of 16 miles so we just went up then back down, but we both think I could have handled the extra 4 miles (which would have been downwards). This was a real ego booster. If it hadn't been for me changing from the Firm workouts, to a real challenge with Cathe I'm not sure I could have handled this! I just ordered today two of the Hardcore workouts cause I'm now convinced Cathe has made my life more enjoyable and I can now do things I never dreamed of! Thanks for everyones encouragement!