The JMT- Part 3 (intro to Andrea)

Andrea is the next Hiker in our JMT series for 2021. At 23 years old, Andrea has a pretty rugged background solo backpacking, and will be hiking the JMT solo the first week in July. We’re looking forward to Andrea sharing her solo journey with us exclusively here at ‘The Rugged Outdoorsmen’.

Here is a short Bio and introduction:

Hi! My name is Andrea, and I will be hiking the John Muir Trail in July. I am about to graduate from Mississippi State with a degree in chemical engineering. Before I start my “real” job in Utah, I wanted to do something I have been dreaming about the last couple of years, like hiking in the beautiful Sierras. So let me share with you how I fell in love with backpacking.

I’ve always liked the idea of camping, but I didn’t know much about backpacking until the summer of 2018 when I went to Colorado for a business trip. I decided I was going to hike Pike’s Peak & summit at 14,114 ft. I have to tell you that overall it was a great trip, but there was a lot I could have improved upon… like not letting my sleeping bag get wet, that was a tough lesson, and that sleeping in a hammock in 40 degree weather is very chilly, and carrying 10 lbs. of trail mix isn’t a good idea. With lessons learned, I became hooked on the world of backpacking in the great outdoors.

When I started working an internship in Georgia in 2019, that’s when I started section hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT). It was so close to where I was, and planning weekend trips became an obsession. I am really thankful for the family and friends who gave me advice on how to safely backpack by myself. I managed to log in about 150 miles of the AT that summer, along with my little companion, my dog affectionately known as ‘Baby Mama’. I gained a ton of confidence and knowledge during my trips on the AT. The people you meet on trail is one of the things that kept me going back!

After more AT section hiking, I decided to hike a section of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) before I started another internship. Everything was ready to go… until COVID-19 ruined plans for me and everyone else trying to hike that year. I decided to stay close to home where I could rely on friends and family to help with resupplies and transportation. I thru-hiked the Ouachita Trail (excluding a 20 mile section of swamp) in April 2020. To this day, it has been the greatest yet hardest thing I have ever done. I did not see anyone on trail the entire time I was hiking except for days I was going into town… that really does a wonder to your mental game, I gained confidence in the solitude of the wilderness. The views were breathtaking, and I am glad I got to explore my home state as I walked from Oklahoma to Little Rock, AR.

I’ve done a few more section hikes of the AT since then. I also hiked a LOT during my summer in Salt Lake City, UT. Now, I am planning for the JMT. I’ve heard it’s hard, but I know the views are going to be worth it. I cannot wait to summit Mt. Whitney at the end.

From the Rugged Outdoorsmen- thank you Andrea, we are excited to have you share your journey with all of us.