Reality

Today the hard work part of this adventure made contact with reality.  This is hard.  This is very hard. This is the hardest thing I've ever tried to do.  Woke up at the hotel at 5am, went for a smoke.  Key failed to work, so back down 5 floors to have the card reprogrammed, and back up, where the card failed to work 3 times before finally letting me back into my room. Set alarms for 7 and 8 but slept through them and finally got up around 8:30, and began repacking my bag.  By 11am, we have checked out of the room and are sitting on the curb in front of the hotel, waiting for our ride from Ron.  A little later, we meet Phil, and then we are all off to Amiacola Falls.  Once we get there, moxie teaches us some rules about how to be a good hiker. Then we weigh our bags and take some pictures and we are on our way.  Very quickly I realize I am in serious trouble.  My pack weighs 60 pounds and the stairs are bogging me down really bad.  About half way up the stairs I am falling way behind my group.  I wind up asking a stranger if he will carry part of my stuff to the top for $10.  At the top my group is waiting for me, and I thank the guy who helped me, but he leaves before I can find my wallet to pay him.  I tell my group that I can keep going, but not at their pace, and that they should continue on at their own pace.  After taking some time to slow my heart rate, I continue on to the closest camp ground, make my tent, stuff my face, contact a few people and pass out.  I need to give a lot of stuff away tomorrow so I can reduce my pack weight.  I won't be able to get far as is, I brought too much food.

Steps: 8196

Distance: 4.01 miles

Flights climbed: 47

Max HR: 171

Water: 83 fl oz

Food: 

   4x rice krispie treats (360 calories)

   1x mozzarella stick from gas station (?)

   4x slices of vegetarian stuffed crust pizza from pizza hut (1200 calories)

   1x candy from Ron

   2x bananas worth of banana chips (200 calories)