August 26 (on or about) Mai Châu district, Vietnam

Distance: 19-20 km (est)
Elevation gain: Unknown
Packing: Probably 20 pounds, maybe 25-30 pounds
Weather: Approximately 95 F, 80% humidity

Notes: This was a grueling test over open terrain, the type of land American G.I.s crossed in the 60s. While the native's weren't hostile . . . the heat was exhausting. I may have drunk as much as a gallon of water. John Phillips, our team director, described it like being in a postcard for some of the scenery. But there were also times when I wondered whether I would be able to complete the hike. Despite all the water I drank, my urine was a strong yellow at the end of the day. I took some salt tablets along with copious amounts of water. Few hikes as challenging as this one, partly because of my backpack, which carried all the essentials I bring for hikes in cooler weather -- 10 essentials, and in this case probably 3 liters of water at all times.

Cameras: I had my GoPro strapped to my chest and was wearing my fly fishing vest for part of the journey, but took it off after a few hours. It was soaking wet. I hung it on my backpack, and that helped to cool me down. My phone became balky, and only afterward did I realize it was because the batteries were depleted, perhaps the heat was a factor.


Accumulated distance for 2016: 406.891 km
Accumulated elevation gain: 57,772 feet

Do I look hot? My GoPro was filming me checking to see whether it was working properly.