Day 3 - September 12, 2017 - 42.5 miles, 3,207' climbing

Today was the real test.  The first 13 miles were relatively flat, then some mild climbing for another 13 miles.  At mile 26, it was insane climbing until and through Alpine.   Went throug 144 oz of water and electrolytes, then guzzled more after getting into camp.   The good news:  I would have been the first one in, but stopped at Postal Annex to mail some unneeded gear home.  Lightened my load by 6 lbs, but that was compensated for by the 16.3 lbs of water I was carrying.   (I only drank 4.26 liters, or 9.37 lbs of water.  Just sayin....).  During the time I stopped, Joe passed me and arrived first.   I was on the road from 0800 to about 1420.  The last person made it in more than 4 hrs later.  He is our EMT from Stonewall, LA.   He had quit a few problems.  No hills to train on in Louisiana.  

So, this tells me that I must be in pretty decent shape.   Surprising, since I am always a the back of the pack on club rides.  Tomorrow will tell, as we have as much or more climbing to do.  

After arriving in camp, setting up the tent, and showering, a few of us headed to the pool.  It wasn't quite cold enough for me, though, at about 86 degrees.  It did help to cool off a little bit.

Here are some photo's from today: