Oh the places you will go and the people you will meet!I did not realize that one of the most remarkable memories of the JMT would be the trail family I would gain during my trip. Before my hiking partner and I began the JMT we hiked 80 miles southbound on the PCT. We had a lot of time to adjust to life on the trail in solitude because the number of hikers in Emigrant wilderness and Northern Yosemite is significantly less then the JMT.
I was so grateful to share this experience with my friend Natalie. We joked on the trail about being the best fed. When a food scientist and a nutritionist walk onto a trail.. you bet we eat well! Many people asked us about meal planning, preparation, and nutrition. Natalie and I fantasized about starting a business related to backcountry meal planning and nutrition consulting. We also played with the thoughts of an anthropological and nutrition dissertation with PCT and JMT hikers as the subjects. Yes, we are hiking nerds. We always made sure to find time in the days to nap by a river or under a tree. We sang together and struggled together! We worried about wildlife and worked together to fend of pesky mosquitos. I am forever appreciative of my hiking partner and happy she was the first person to be included in my trail family:) Along the trail we met many others that bonded together over lost trails, "Bobby J," afternoon thunderstorms, singing, VVR pies and milkshakes, acro yoga, poop stories, food sharing, gear chatting, book discussions, celebrity look alikes, trail names, alpine lake swims, pass parties, and emotional Mt Whitney moments. Thank you trail family for all the special moments and for making the month the most enjoyable. I look forward to seeing you all on a future adventure.
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January 2017
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