The Twelve Stages of Exhaustion

[north-north-west]

You begin your walk like Muhammad Ali, floating like a butterfly through the bush, so perfectly in tune with your surroundings that you are as one with the wild creatures who share the place.
But, later . . .

1) Your sunglasses get knocked off. Your reflexes are so sharp you grab them in mid-air.

2) You trip and, with a cute little dancestep, recover and continue without any sign to anyone else of having had a problem.

3) Your sunglasses get knocked off. You try to grab them mid-air, but they bounce off your fumbling fingers and hit the ground. You recover them immediately.

4) You trip but, with a jerky stumbling series of steps, manage to stay upright. Ungainly but effective.

5) Your sunglasses get knocked off. You sigh, bend over slowly, and pick them up.

6) You trip, fall to your knees, sigh, and slowly heave yourself onto your feet again.

7) Your sunglasses get knocked off. You wonder for a while whether it's worth the effort of picking them up.

8 ) You trip, fall over, lie there dazedly for a few minutes, before you groaningly and tiredly push, pull and curse yourself back up.

9) Your sunglasses get knocked off. You don't care. In fact, after a while you start to convince yourself it must make your load lighter and, therefore, the walking will be easier.

10) Your sunglasses get knocked off. You don't notice.

11) You fall over. You don't care. In fact, after a while you decide it's quite pleasant lying there - the mud is cool, soft and comfortable, the leeches are friendly, and the weight of your pack is negligible . . .

12) You fall over. You don't notice.

[peregrinator]

You begin your walk like Muhammad Ali, floating like a butterfly through the bush, so perfectly in tune with your surroundings that you are as one with the wild creatures who share the place.
But, later . . .

1) Your sunglasses get knocked off. Your reflexes are so sharp you grab them in mid-air.

2) You trip and,

. . . SNIP . . .

10) Your sunglasses get knocked off. You don't notice.

Perhaps you need to leave the sunglasses at home if they're causing so much bother? Walk only in shady locations?

[Moondog55]

Just had to "Share " that LOL

[ILUVSWTAS]

Sounds like a normal day out with our group nnw.

[north-north-west]

Sounds like a normal day out with our group nnw.

It's a fairly normal day for me too. If only I was still young and fast and strong enough to keep up with you boys . . .

[Snowzone]

I guess I'm in trouble when I'm starting the day at stage 8. Sometimes I just hope someone will cover me in rocks.

[nq111]

I actually find things get easier going day by day for a multi-day way.

For me Day 1 is maybe Stages 3-6, Day 2: Stages 7-12, Day 3: Stages 3-6 again and then Day 4 and on is Stage 1 (well, not always completely always! ).

I think it is a combination of decreasing pack weight and increasing match fitness. Anyone else experience a similar effect?

[ILUVSWTAS]

I actually find things get easier going day by day for a multi-day way.

For me Day 1 is maybe Stages 3-6, Day 2: Stages 7-12, Day 3: Stages 3-6 again and then Day 4 and on is Stage 1 (well, not always completely always! ).

I think it is a combination of decreasing pack weight and increasing match fitness. Anyone else experience a similar effect?

Absolutely! I find after day 5-6 it becomes like normal. The days become meaningless and performance starts to lift.

[icefest]

I find day three to be the worst, then after a couple of seemigly easier days I start attempting to walk 50% further and the 3 day rule begins anew.

[stepbystep]

I actually find things get easier going day by day for a multi-day way.

For me Day 1 is maybe Stages 3-6, Day 2: Stages 7-12, Day 3: Stages 3-6 again and then Day 4 and on is Stage 1 (well, not always completely always! ).

I think it is a combination of decreasing pack weight and increasing match fitness. Anyone else experience a similar effect?

Absolutely! I find after day 5-6 it becomes like normal. The days become meaningless and performance starts to lift.

Yes! My last big walk my strongest and best days were days 7/8. Eye of the tiger!

[Jaala]

This made me laugh, especially 12

For me, I find day 2 the worst. Tend to start dragging my feet and wondering why I'm out there. After that I'm okay again.

[Nuts]

That's funny NNW- thanks (for your misery.. i guess) Not getting outta bed would help..?

[Lophophaps]

LOL. My sunnies are on a loop on my neck so that they can't fall off. My compass, map, camera, GPS and a few other things are on my neck as well. The big problem is that in scrub this risks strangulation. It takes time to untangle them when I reach camp. When untangling I usually rest for ten minutes every hour. Somehow the various cords get caught in the pack straps, so I can't take the pack off, which makes it faster to get going the next day: stand up, start walking. Simple.

[north-north-west]

I find day three to be the worst, then after a couple of seemingly easier days I start attempting to walk 50% further and the 3 day rule begins anew.

Gee, that sounds familiar.
Always easier at the end of a long one unless you get injured (or ill). But yes, day three is the worst. After that you've become inured to the pain . . .

[taswegian]

When young the 12 stages would hit home within a very short space of time.
Probably after a long day. But a refresher of chocolate, nuts and rolled oats worked wonders and away I'd go again.
Agree on the kickin of higher levels day 3.

Problem with getting old is for me the grey matter hasn't related to the message of need to slow down.
Then the energy levels take longer to replenish and now the foot decides to protest.
Not sure what stage or order.

[Ent]

Good summary compass bearing.

To me it is the camera and picture count. The better I feel the more pictures. A day with no pictures is a day when been at home in bed has great appeal. Also, has to do with the fear factor. An airy or big scree scramble and there will be no pictures to prove it from my camera.

The young will never understand until they are old and sadly the old will not be around to savour that moment. Well I plan to live past a hundred to see the young when not so young any more

[weighty walker]

Ha Ha Ha good one n-n-w

[davidf]

Do you wear sunglasses at night? I find 4 to 6am being exhaustion hours.

[mikethepike]

Exhaustion or are you just getting more drunk?