I’m on vacation this week and next, when we do Zion, Bryce and the North Rim
\nall in one week (realizing that a month could be consumed in each of these locales.
\nWell, that’s what the future’s for). Till then posting could be a bit light
\nin these parts, but there’s nothing in particular on today’s schedule, so I
\nmight as well do a blogroll: <\/p>\n
The Sacramento Bee’s John Muir Trail adventure is complete. From One thing about backpacking is certain — the core of your trail mates comes From Unlike on other hikes, trekkers on the JMT do not limit themselves to the Pictures from the Bee’s JMT project are here<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n Speaking of thru-hiking, Been moving through Maine at lightning speed. First it was to outrun the Speaking of thru-hiking, part II: Speaking of day-hiking, we can now officially suspend sympathy for John Fedak’s
\na wrap-up by Emily Franciskovich<\/a>, who with partner Jim Hurley hiked the
\nwhole trail in 28 days. The Bee sent newsroom staffers along two at a time for
\na week at a time. <\/p>\n\n
\nout in a hurry. Good manners, ruggedness, patience, calm, generosity and flexibility
\nall matter in a big way. While hiking the Muir Trail, one cannot hide behind
\na fancy car, a stylish suit or a nice house on the hill. Make no mistake,
\nthere are no US or People magazines to confuse reality in the backcountry.
\nIn fact, it is my opinion that there is something fiercely equalizing about
\ntaking backcountry journeys like the Muir Trail. At the end of the day, everyone
\nlooks a bit dirty, smells somewhat ripe and feels pretty hungry. In the backcountry
\nit is all about good old fashioned human interaction. It is this element,
\nthis element of rawness that makes backpacking so special.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\nJim Hurley’s wrap-up: <\/a><\/p>\n\n
\nobligatory “hello” and “good-bye” but pause long enough to share personal
\nbackgrounds, trail stories, and their inspirations for hiking the JMT. For
\nmost of the journey, Emily and I leap-frogged over 200 miles with several
\ndifferent groups. There was the charming middle-aged couple who displayed
\ntheir mutual love by playfully tossing snowballs or flirting openly, he displaying
\nflexed muscles and she striking a coy pose. Two old friends from New Mexico
\nand Marin County greeted all passers with a quick joke or a song to serenade,
\nbut also managed to negotiate with me the sale of a $20 imaginary cheeseburger.
\nBut the trail experience would not be complete without the sprinkling of foreigners,
\nmostly Europeans. Two brothers from Germany reminded us at each meeting that
\nthe 60 year old dragged his 50 year old brother across the world only to carry
\nthe heavy load. Such is life on the JMT: cultivating relationships out of
\nshared experiences, old and new.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\nDirt Diva is in Maine <\/a>and planning to finish the Appalachian Trail near
\nthe end of this month. <\/p>\n\n
\ndreaded rains from Hurricane Ernesto (or was it a tropical storm?). Now it
\nis because we are so close to Mt. Katahdin, we can smell it. Maybe we can’t
\nreally smell the mountain, but there are some changes in the air. Fall has
\narrived. The trees first started changing a few days ago, and now each day
\nthe colors are more vibrant. The panoramic views from Saddleback Mt and Horn
\nMt have been quite rewarding. Maine is such a great place to hike with all
\nof its ponds and bogs. If you can get past the part where you have to hop
\nthrough and around all of the mud holes, it is just downright beautiful.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\nHaiku’s Pacific Crest Trail photo album<\/a> has many excellent pix. <\/p>\n
\nbroken ankle. He climbed
\nMount Tallac in Yosemite over the weekend. <\/a><\/p>\n