About a 9 hour hike day. Very steep ascent and the descent was about as much as I could take. While I feel strong my knees are just saying “stop now, it’s enough”.
The trails on YouTube videos are all nice and smooth and clean. In reality that’s maybe 20%. Most of the trails are washed out glacial and snow melt. Tree roots, rocks, boulders and mud. Hard to get a solid purchase on the ground.
The ascents are hard and steep but doable. The descents force your toes into the fronts of your boots. I also find myself putting alot of my body weight on my walking sticks as I step down.
All that said, 30 yr olds jog it. Very humbling.
Everyone on the trail is very fit. That’s a big difference from the Camino where every body shape was represented. People here are outdoors rockstars. Again, very humbling.
2 more hike days left and they will be tough ones.
