I hiked 10 miles. No really. I hiked 10 miles. We went to Herman Creek today, we planned a 8.2 mile hike, then there was an additional 1.4 miles because the campground gate was closed. I did not do the .2 miles part of the hike – I did not want to make Christine wait that long for me but then on the way back to the car I went right when I was supposed to go forward and ended up adding a liitle over a mile as I circled around to the car through the woods – so I hiked 10 miles. I am really proud of that – we did it in under 9 hours too meaning my hiking time is up a little over 1 mile per hour. I’m so stoked!!
We did it. We did it. We didn’t think we could but we did it!!
16 miles, lots of rain, lots of up. We hauled our buts up to the 7.5 mile campsite on Eagle Creek.
We walked Tunnel Falls. I’ll post a video.
Then we camped, Christine discovered she had no tent poles, Eep 
So we get all settled in and it is just about to get dark – and the first raindrops fall.
Did I mention it takes some practice to get the rain tarp on the hammock set up just right?
So Christine ended up camped under my hammock to get out of the rain, it was about 20 degrees colder than it was supposed to be, and it rained off and on all night.
So we were up quite early and booking it back toward the car at double time.
I slipped into the creek up to my knees. Thank goodness for the emergency back up pair of wool socks or I would have been squelching all the way to the car!
I am glad we were up early – as we got closer to the car the crowds were just getting started. I can see why the experience hikers all say to hike Eagle Creek in the winter. The easy grade and gazillion waterfalls make Eagle Creek a summer super highway.
So I am going to be doing a lot of hiking this year. I want to build up to 10-12 mile hikes in 1 day by the end of they year. I also want to do a few overnight hikes where I hike in, camp, then hike out the next day. In order to do that I have a few things I need.
Tent: A 1-2 person light tent, something I can pitch with my trekking poles would be cool. I am carrying 340 pounds already, no need to add too much to that.
Sleeping pad – My daughter has a way cool air-bubble one. I am fat – I really need a good cushion against the ground.
Travel pillow- Ok – so I am spoiled 
Sleeping bag – I guess a 30-40 degree would be warm enough for me since I am always really hot and we will not be camping out any earlier than April or later than October.
Cookset – a small lightweight stove and eating tools.
Water purification set. Mini first aid pack.
Backpack – Gotta have something to put all this stuff in. My back is 21 inches and I am looking for something around 3000 cubic inches.
Personal Hygiene pack – um, I may miss a shower but that is about all the dirty I can handle
Desireables: These are things I could most likely live without, but would like to have.
headlamp, stuffsacks, booklamp (cause I can not be away from a book for more than 16 hours), knife.
