Post Trip Notes

Post Trip Notes:

Looking back several weeks after completion I really yearn to be back on the trail. There were many times throughout the trip that I really did not wish to be there, wherever that might be. The weather had a great deal to do with that. I know weather is part of the experience, but fifteen days of thunderstorms out of nineteen was a bit too much. I averaged right about eighteen miles a day which I would do again, the challenge of the mileage and terrain was great, but I was getting to camp at 1:00 pm most days just ahead of the rain which is a very fast pace through the Sierra Nevada. I would prefer to do eighteen miles and get to camp around 5:00 pm, much more time to soak in the views. I went to a very bad place on two occasions; Sallie Keys Lake and Thousand Island Lake. Being solo is fun and all, but you really crave human contact during dinner and when the weather gets bad. I would not have completed this journey if not for my super supportive and loving wife, she really did give me the strength to continue on during a couple of weak moments. I am already in the planning stages of another JMT journey for next year (2013), but this is going to be a really special trip, the best yet. If the good lord willing and the creek don't rise, Judy and I will be backpacking the JMT together next August which will really be a dream come true. Being able to share the trail with her is going to be awesome to say the least.

 

Overall the trip was successful and I would do it again, just at a slower pace and with company. I love the High Sierra Trail and the John Muir Trail and plan to backpack both many more times in the future, just not together. This was really a once in a lifetime experience. The lesson learned going forward is to find a balance between big mileage/big mountains and peace and serenity. I do believe I can accomplish this worthwhile goal.

 

The band Rush released a new album earlier this year (its a good one) and their song "Headlong Flight" completely speaks to me. Here are the lyrics, just hits home with what I experienced and hope to experience again........

 

All the journeys of this great adventure
It didn't always feel that way
I wouldn't trade them because I made them
The best I could, and that's enough to say

Some days were dark
I wish that I could live it all again
Some nights were bright
I wish that I could live it all again

All the highlights of that headlong flight
Holding on with all my might
To what I felt back then
I wish that I could live it all again

I have stoked the fire on the big steel wheels
Steer the airship right across the stars
I learned to fight, I learned to love, I learned to feel
Oh I wish that I could live it all again

All the treasures, the gold and glory
It didn't always feel that way
I don't regret it - I'll never forget it
I wouldn't trade tomorrow for today

Some days were dark
I wish that I could live it all again
Some nights were bright
I wish that I could live it all again