Our second test hike took place at one of our favorite spots to trail run. The North Hill Marsh Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary is over 500 acres, with ponds, marshes, cranberry bogs, and many trails to walk, run, or mountain bike. We hiked for over an hour on this test, and both of us felt some rubbing from our shoulder straps of the packs. We are hoping our bodies will toughen up over time and that our 30 pound pack that feels more like a sack of concrete, will eventually start feeling like a bag of feathers. What is heavier: 30 pounds of concrete or 30 pounds of feathers? Your right - 30 pounds is 30 pounds. We are always thinking of items that we may not need in our packs, but there is only so much you can give up and still have your safety on the trail. We have heard that some hikers have started A.T. with 50 to 60 pound backpacks. I have no idea how, my back hurts just thinking about that. We have just two weeks before we depart for Springer Mountain, Georgia. More test hikes to come!
