Ive been back from the John Muir trail for about a week, but today (my birthday) feels like the first day Im actually back. We began in Yosemite Valley and spent 7 days on the trail. The first day we hiked 5 miles with 50+ pound packs and gained 3500 ft. of elevation, had an early dinner, then climbed Half-Dome for an early evening snack. The next day we did another 11 miles and climbed even higher to Clouds Rest (even better than Half Dome). So the first two days we covered 20 miles and 9000+ feet of elevation gain. Ouch. Despite my best efforts at breaking in my boots and training, I got the worst blisters of my life on the first day. From that point on literally every step was painful. However, the foot-ache became a wonderful meditation on pain, beauty, and attention. We were chased by a forrest fire for the first 5 days, we were rained out on the 6th, we drank whisky, mocked scat-eating marmots, meditated by rivers, read Muirs writings, cried for no reason other than the beauty of the landscape, got mad at each other for, well, no reason, had heart to hearts, and generally let the healing power of nature back into our lives. Thanks to my fellow travelers and all of the supportive family and friends that made this journey possible.
Posted on: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 23:59:05 +0000
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