Just Hike..

August 29, 2015 Day 12:  unnamed pond to unnamed stream via Pinchot Pas

Dinner time just  below Mather Pass

Something shifted since my zero day at Rae Lakes: I feel like I finally found my stride, settled into a thru-hiker mindset, and got my hiker legs!  They seem to be all tied together.  I’m getting stronger and acclimating to the high altitude, but I also finally realized today that slow and steady is the way to go. I hike more efficiently and feel better when I pace myself on the ups, the downs, AND the flats. The first 9 days I was so focused on speed…  how fast can I get there? I have to keep up with so and so.  So when I’d trudge up giant mountains and over rocky passes I’d try to make up time by hiking as fast as I could downhill and on the flatter parts of the trail. (note: there seem to be no truly ‘flat’ parts on the JMT), frantically calculating and recalculating my miles per hour and ETA with each step.  I have to make up time. Hike fast… FASTER! No wonder I’ve been exhausted all the time and feeling completely worn out both physically and emotionally.

the summit of Pinchot Pass!
the summit of Pinchot Pass!

I succumbed to the rhythm of the wilderness: I enjoyed being on the trail just for the sake of being on the trail. I meandered through forests and faded meadows, across lazy creeks babbling gently with the last of winter’s snow melt and up yet another dramatic granite pass.

Today I relaxed into the trail and soaked it all in realizing I’m not out here to win any hiker land-speed records, so who cares how fast or slow I go? Why am I always competing against some impossible ideal I set for myself? Not just out here but in my everyday life: work harder, go faster, be stronger. Constantly scolding myself:  you should be doing this or you should be doing that. Or you should be this or you should be that…  And no matter how hard I work or how much I accomplish, I always fall short.  It’s never enough.  I am never enough… Today, at least as far as hiking the John Muir Trail goes,  that changed. My thru- hiker mindset kicked in and all those “shoulds” were replaced with, “who the fuck cares??? Just hike!”

Trail from the south up Pinchot Pass
Trail up Pinchot Pass from the south

That’s my new answer to all my nagging expectations and criticisms: “Just hike.”  I gave myself 30 days to hike this trail, so I just need to settle the fuck down and hike it.   30 days. That’s 30 days of experiencing nature. Of being exposed to the elements and the challenges of thru-hiking every single day. I don’t have to add to the challenge by being so damn hard on myself and having crazy expectations of hiking 3 miles per hour!  Hell, surviving out here 12 days on my own, hiking 80 miles,  over 20,000 feet in elevation is a big fucking deal! Isn’t that enough? Or maybe the real questions is: why isn’t it enough? Why do I take myself and my accomplishments for granted? Why? I guess that is something I can contemplate over the next 17 days as I “Just Hike!”

So today I hiked at a tortoise’s pace. I conquered the Sasquatch steps, hiked steadily at a comfortable pace, rested and took breaks whenever my body, mind or eyes wanted to. I swam, I stopped to soak in sweeping views of valleys and lakes, I had leisurely conversations about the trail and the smoke with South Bounders and still managed to hike almost 12 miles and climb and descend over 4700 feet in 8 hours.  I’d go so far as to say this was my best day yet:  I did my 7th pass crossing (6 passes, because I did Kearsarge twice) and I’m less than 2 miles and 1500’ from Mather Pass!  My new mindset seems to work for me!

My lunch spot on the North side of Pinchot Pass
My lunch spot on the North side of Pinchot Pass

And I got trail mail!!! As I approached the Bench Lake Junction sign, I noticed a tiny note duct taped to the post. I thought it was going to be another warning about the smoke and the wildfires, but as I approached, to my surprise, I saw that it had my name on it!  It was from Lee – one of the Arkansas Four.  Lee knew from the beginning he wouldn’t be hiking the whole JMT, he had to get back early for work and Bench Lake was his planned exit from the trail.  The note was dated yesterday morning and he wrote that Robert injured his leg descending Glenn Pass, but was hiking on anyway,  like the trooper he is.  He wrote that they’d planned on climbing Mather Pass that day (yesterday).  I was thrilled to read that: they aren’t as far ahead of me as I thought… just a little over a day! Lee said goodbye to me and left his email to exchange pics and keep in touch. I smiled for miles. I was ecstatic to get that note!!  It was comforting to know I have friends – a community out here – who are thinking about me. How cool is that? It was icing on top of a lovely chocolate cake of a day (hmm, do ya think I’m hungry?).

Trail Mail!!!
Trail Mail!!!

That reminds me, I realized today that another reason I’m sluggish is because I didn’t pack enough simple carbs (aka, sugar = instant energy). I try not to eat a ton of sugar in my everyday life so I resisted the temptation to pack it. Part of my goal after all, was to lose a little weight on this hike.  But that strategy is failing me miserably:  I’ve been eating too much protein while I hike which takes forever to convert into energy and is doing me no good on these climbs and long days.  I had a package of Twizzlers in my Onion Valley resupply and the helped, but they weren’t enough.  I can’t wait to get to Muir Trail Ranch and raid the buckets. Trying to eat too healthy has been hurting my endurance.

I’m also struggling with a rash on the back of my legs from my butt down to my calves.  It burns as I hike and my hiking pants rub against it. I think it’s dry skin or maybe chaffing from not drying off completely before putting my pants back on after the lunch-time swims and sitting in the waterfall yesterday. All I have is Carmex which works for chapped lips, so why not chapped legs and butt?  I rubbed it on and believe it or not, it helped (after it stopped burning!) I want to put something on it now, but Carmex has a strong scent and I don’t want to be an invitation to bears.  My zinc oxide is all I have that’s odorless and that’s too greasy. I have Neosporin, but I don’t think that will help, I wish I’d brought Cortisone cream. Maybe I can get some at MTR.

I have the most beautiful campsite tonight in a barren and rocky landscape below Mather Pass. I feel like I’m on the moon! I’m near a crystal-clear creek cascading through the rocks and earth from Mather Pass. I found a little pool between two boulders. It was big enough to squeeze into and have a bath.  It was even pretty warm! It felt good to splash the trail dust off my grimy body.day 13 anothe rview

I’ve just seen one lone hiker heading toward the pass, about an hour ago and he didn’t see me. Other than him, I haven’t seen anyone since early afternoon. I have the whole moon all to myself! As usual, the smoke is obscuring the jagged peaks around me, I can’t wait to get up in the morning and snap some pictures while it’s clear.

It’s time to make dinner and settle in.  I hope to sleep well tonight, I have a big day planned tomorrow.  My goal is to reach the middle fork of Kings River. It’s about 13 miles after Mather Pass – all downhill. That’ll (finally) put me over the 100-mile mark!

Now it’s time to “Just Relax!”.

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15 comments on “Just Hike..”

  1. Hi. I would also like to encourage you to continue your blog. You are a good writer, and do an excellent job of bringing the readers along with you on your adventure. i could definitely see this becoming a very enjoyable book.

    1. Margaret,
      I appreciate that very much! I do hope to write a book someday! Your kind words are very encouraging and I appreciate you taking the time to leave your note. I hope you continue to enjoy my story! – Carolyn

  2. Carolyn,
    I, too, just found your blog recently through Bob’s rv site, and just spent the day reading all the posts until… Dang! I know you’re probably busy with work, and your new rv life, maybe a new love, etc. but GET WRITING, GIRL! =) I’m a 47 year old woman who can relate to so much of your story, and I’ve so enjoyed reading these blog posts from last year’s JMT trip. Can’t wait for more.
    Happiness and hugs!
    Sarah

    1. Hi Sarah, I know…..I keep hearing that it’s a disappointment to have it end so abruptly on day 12!! I’ve been trying to get one out every couple of weeks, but like you said, been kinda busy lately :-p. I am so glad you’re enjoying it. I appreciate you taking the time to let me know. It inspires me to keep writing!!! THANK YOU!!! Working on day 13 now, should be done by next weekend. Stay tuned!! all the best, Carolyn

  3. Wait! I just found this wonderful blog yesterday and have been consuming it quickly from Day 1 to now, Day 12. Am I missing Day 13, or it hasn’t been published? I love the blogs….was hoping to read about your amazing days from VVR and north, where my hubby and brother are hiking right now. But I’ll sign up for your future posts. Very nice job…great experiences, great writing (but selfishly sad for me that I have to wait for Day 13 and beyond.)!

    1. LeeAnn,
      Thank you for your very kind words! I am thrilled to hear you’re enjoying my story so much and I’m sorry to disappoint you with the abrupt end. It has been a labor of love over the past several months and comments like yours keep me inspired to keep writing. Thank you so much for this! I hope you enjoy the second half just as much as the first! – Carolyn

  4. I am enjoying reading your tales. I will be starting Aug 27th Sobo, maybe a few days earlier if I can get an earlier permit. I am older, so I have to take it slowly.
    Thanks sharing your experiences.
    Linda

  5. I always enjoy your blogs. Looks like you got into sync with the trail. It shapes you not the other way around. Tomorrow, I’m starting a 10 day solo (no resupply) hike in Desolation Wilderness. I’m in that panic mode of not being physically prepared “enough.” Can’t believe how much my bear canister weighs fully loaded. Mostly lake hopping and not going long distances. I hope I don’t come home too weird.

    1. Eric,

      I love Desolation. I did a 5 day 50 mile trip a few years ago with a lot of lake hopping. It’s so gorgeous there, no matter where you go. 10 days is a nice trip – you will definitely come back “weird”. We always do after spending quality time alone in the woods, don’t we? 🙂
      Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.
      Have a wonderful and safe trip. Happy Trails!
      -Carolyn

  6. I’m heading out to the JMT in a few weeks, so am enjoying your hike vicariously. I was wondering if you washed the Carmex and sunscreen off away from water sources before getting into that small pool you mentioned.

    1. Hi Tom,

      I never use traditional sunscreens because I don’t want to pollute water sources. I carry zinc oxide. Yes, I washed off the Carmex before getting in the water. Why do you ask?

      Have a great trip! Happy Trails!

      -C

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