To get in good shape
I carry a heavy pack
Thoreau’s my ballast
In my attempt to get in shape for doing some backpacking this summer, I have been doing some hiking while wearing my backpack. To get better accustomed to the weight that I will be carrying on the trail, I’ve been loading the pack with between 15 to 28 pounds. Yesterday it was 26 pounds.
Not wanting to throw in the sleeping bag, pad, clothes, food, etc. I’ve been adding books wrapped in plastic (because of all of the recent rain) to my pack. The heaviest books I take are a complete set of Thoreau’s journals (1837-1861). Weight 10 pounds 13 OZ.
“A traveler! I love his title. A traveler is to be reverenced as such. His profession is the best symbol of our life. Going from–toward; it is the history of every one of us.”
― Henry David Thoreau, The Journal, 1837-1861
Adventures, Animals and Images 
Oh, I have memories of doing the same when I was preparing for a long night hike up to Clouds Rest in Yosemite NP. Those training hikes got me in shape and I hiked up to Clouds Rest twice within two weeks, both times night hikes.
I hope all the training serves you as well you have a good companion in those books. 😀
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Thank you, Deborah.
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