Walking…
Paul Melzer will be hiking 24 peaks in 24 hours on May 24th in his Epic4epic.org challenge.
I think this video says it all. It inspires me and reminds me why I am so drawn to making it to the top!
Great food is a must in the wild!
I have decided to make and dehydrate all my meals. While this may seem a daunting task, it will provide me with the best meal plan to meet my required caloric, protein, vitamin and sweet/salty intake. This trip is a long one requiring many steps and at times a 11,000’+ peak per day. I want, not only, my energy to be at its best but to also have my pallet satisfied too.
After a ton of research I discover the Book: Backpack Gourmet, by Linda Frederick Yaffe. She has been writing for Backpacker magazine and has several trail meal books published. I am excited to get the cooking/dehydrated process started. Just reading the recipes in the book has left my mouth watering. I also can’t wait to add my own spin and try some of my personal favorites in the dehydrator too. Let the kitchen fun begin!
Be sure to keep an eye out in : My Meal Plan & recipes for all my notes pictures and final meal plan.
I should be eating great along the way!
A big Shout out to DMC OUTFITTERS for the use of their dehydrator. This portion of my planning would not be possible without their support~
LETS GET THIS PARTY STARTED!
The birthday party that is (smile)
I woke up to find I won Mt. Whitney lottery tickets for the dates requested to have friends join me on my Birthday! My plan is to have them meet me up at the top to watch the sun rise. I think it will be a beautiful way to chime in my new year as well as a perfect ending to an incredible journey. 30 days solo…
…Thinking about it all is giving me chills, but filling me with warmth and grateful energy to those who are apart of this magic in some way. Thank you beautiful friends!
I recently met another amazing adventurer: She is actually leaving on a five month excursion to India next week (but that is another story)
She asked me Why I was going to hike 220 miles solo? My answer to her was “Why not?”
Her question got me thinking. While this is one of the most beautiful parts of wilderness one can experience. I did begin to think more deeply on why.
What would I return with?
What would I experience: emotionally, spiritually, physically?
I know It is something I have wanted to do for several years now. I know it is not something easily done. I myself have already experienced so much just in the early planning stages (still five months out)
Perhaps for me this is all part of the experience. Sharing in the planning with old friends and new. I have even met more recently, on my daily hikes, new friends who are very serious on being my “food Angels” and resupply support. I am continually touched at the commitment of others to my success: To those who are sharing in the per-planning stages in early gear testing and joining me with my big conditioning hikes. Most especially to those who are rearrange plans to help me make this journey possible. For them I am blessed.
I guess all of this is the reason why. To see others as excited for my adventure as I am for my adventure. To inspire and be inspired.
Seven major passes above 11,000 feet.
Eureka!
There are 7 major peeks I will be hiking up and over along my journey that exceed eleven thousand feet.
I’ve got them marked on my maps and the majority are going to be traveled on the last half of my hike (traveling North to South) They have been making me very excited and the thought of such warrior strength passing over some beautiful land leaves me breathless; Planning my itinerary has gotten me truly energized! Knowing I will be hiking one a day, for several days in a row has me with a bit of nervous, but I know myself and what I can do. I know I will be acclimated and fine by this leg of my hike, but holly cow batman! (Laughing)
This is just reminding me of the importance of my pre-conditioning hikes (dirty dozen) and how important they are going to be for my success.
Lets go little warrior, Pamela!!!
Yeah!
Today I faxed my permit request for my trip! I also requested Half Dome permits too. Keeping my fingers crossed I get them! I’ve always wanted to clime Half Dome and this would be on my first day out of Happy Isles in Yosemite!
I’m excited!
I’ve been having the best time on my sunrise conditioning hikes! I hike daily with the pups (Lu & Lucy) but as of January 1st I have been doing 5-8 mile hikes with a 27lb back pack for conditioning! I am loving it.
I’ve been blessed to have my dear friend Mona (who’s been to Mt. Everest back in the day) join me twice a week. She is such a beautiful inspiration to me. Our AM talks have been wonderful! I am also so excited she is conditioning too for her Mt. Whitney summit with me on my final night of my 30 day solo hike. (smile) My plan is to have the Whitney friends meet me at the top for a beautiful sunrise, then head back to Whitney portal camp.
Lets get this party started.
My maps and books arrived and I am ready for some planning! After doing a lot of research I found the Tom Harrison map set that breaks the JMT into 13: 8.5”x11” pages. It makes for easy viewing, section by section. They are water and tear proof too! Awesome.
My books of choice:
John Muir Trail: The essential guide to hiking America’s most famous trail
by Elizabeth Wenk
Trout Fishing the John Muir Trail
By Steve Beck
Both incredibly informational books. I would suggest these to any and all hikers planning this trip.
Now that I have my essential “starter kit” I’m planning and more planning! This is really where the fun starts on my adventure! Stay tuned; more to come. ;)
An adventure is defined as an exciting or unusual experience; it may also be a bold, usually risky undertaking, with an uncertain outcome.
I love this, live this, am this. Now lets go and have an adventure!
