So I guess I’m hiking the John Muir Trail
It’s a little after 7 A.M., on June 4th, when I sit down and check my email. I have several unread messages but an email from Yosemite Wilderness Permits immediately…
JMT Preparation
The first thing I realize in my preparation is that the starting point for my JMT hike is unconventional. The traditional starting point for the JMT is Happy Isles in…
JMT Day 1: Thin Air, Thick Mosquitos (6/19/20)
Today's Miles: 3.1 Ascent: 1,316 ft Descent: 176.5 ftTotal Miles on Trip: 3.1 I arrive in Modesto at 9:45 A.M. In an incredible act of generosity, Gary had offered to…
JMT Day 2: Slackpacking Success (6/20/20)
Today's Miles: 11.4 Ascent: 2,857 ft Descent: 2,909 ftTotal Miles on Trip: 14.5 I wake up a few times throughout the night but immediately fall back asleep. Finally, when I…
JMT Day 3: The Cheeseburger That Wasn’t (6/21/20)
Today's Miles: 11.4 Ascent: 1,035 ft Descent: 279 ftTotal Miles on Trip: 25.9 Kevin and I both wake-up a little after 5 A.M. My sleeping bag is a little wet…
JMT Day 4: Mosquito Storm (6/22/20)
Today's Miles: 12.2 Ascent: 2,227 ft Decent: 331 ftTotal Miles on Trip: 38.1 When I was falling asleep last night it felt like my skin was on fire. The revenge…
JMT Day 5: Coconut Oil Beard (6/23/20)
Today's Miles: 11.0Ascent: 1,984 ftDescent: 2,374 ftTotal Miles on Trip: 49.1 Kevin and I both wake-up at 5:50 A.M., the latest we've slept on the trip so far. We go…
JMT Day 6: Red’s Meadow (6/24/20)
Today's Miles: 14.1Ascent: 2,010 ftDescent: 4,093 ftTotal Miles on Trip: 63.2 I exit my tent at 5:45 A.M. I slept hard last night and had a dream about calling a…
JMT Day 7: Zero in Mammoth (6/25/20)
Today's Miles: 0Total Miles on Trip: 63.2 Kevin and I sleep as late as we have all trip, getting out of the tent at 6:40 A.M. There was no bear…
JMT Day 8: Thawed Out Burritos (6/26/20)
Today's Miles: 11.2Ascent: N/ADescent: N/ATotal Miles on Trip: 74.4 Yesterday, Coach Knight had mentioned a different route to get back on the JMT. Rather than heading out of Red's Meadow,…