JMT update- Andrea is hitting the trail

Okay you Guys, here is Andrea’s final thoughts, in her own words, before stepping onto The John Muir Trail on July 1st for 211 miles as a solo Thru-hiker.

My hike preparation has seemed to last forever… and I only just decided I was doing the JMT in January. I don’t know how people plan a trip like this for years! I am one of those lucky SOB’s who applied way too late for their permit date. I applied incorrectly at first, then with the help of a lady from Facebook, I applied for a canceled permit for the date: July 1st. The next day I got the confirmation. I really didn’t believe I would get a permit… it just happened. People spend years applying for them and I got one the very next day after deciding spur of the moment to do the JMT. (I am sorry to everyone—please don’t hate me LOL!).

The last few months I have been slowly planning my trip. I have planned out each day in order to guestimate my food resupplies. Then I forgot about sending them, so my MTR resupply was sent late, but I did get the notification they had gotten it. So that’s good. There’s not much hiking in Mississippi and between my other hobbies, constant rain, senior year projects, and moving, I really have not had time to train or walk anywhere very much. I do workout every day and I feel like that has kept me in good shape. I am worried about my knee… I’ve done exercise’s to strengthen it the best I can, but I am still worried about it becoming inflamed again. I’ve been constantly receiving amazon packages with last minute tidbits like bug spray, a bug net, a hairbrush, and socks! This week (the week before I start my hike), I have learned how to work my Garmin InReach Mini. I really like the outdoors, but I also like to text my mom every night! My prep has been scattered and all over the place, but that is just how I am.

On my way to the JMT, I plan to stay the night in Great Basin National Park before heading to Bishop, CA. Due to the fires closing down Whitney Portal, my exit trailhead, I cannot leave my car there and get a bus up to Yosemite like I had planned. Now I will just figure out how to get to Bishop once I finish—hopefully at Whitney Portal. On the way home I am planning to stop at Death Valley National Park! With my trip, I’ll have visited two new states (Nevada and California) and gone through 5 national parks. I am so excited!

My start date is July 1st… I am anxiously awaiting it. I can’t believe the time is FINALLY here. This years drought is bad and the early fire season is intimidating, but I can’t wait to be back in my tent, eating ramen, and walking all day ! I love it !

The Rugged Outdoorsmen wants to thank Andrea for being one of our featured hikers, we wish her a safe journey, and We can’t wait to hear her story upon her return.

Stay Tuned.