Long distance hiking

John Muir Trail Day 28: The End of an Epic Adventure- Little Yosemite Valley to Happy Isles

John Muir Trail Day 28: The End of an Epic Adventure- Little Yosemite Valley to Happy Isles

I woke up on our last morning of the John Muir Trail almost laughing when I thought about the absurdity of the past eight hours. It started somewhere after midnight...

Jan 8, 2025 : Bernadette Rankin
John Muir Trail Day 27: The Frigid Beauty of Cathedral Lakes and Wild Country of Lil Yosemite Valley

John Muir Trail Day 27: The Frigid Beauty of Cathedral Lakes and Wild Country of Lil Yosemite Valley

There is no way I am getting out. I was wearing every single piece of clothing I had brought with me for over 230 miles, some of which I had...

Jan 8, 2025 : Bernadette Rankin
The Gila – please schedule your breakdowns

The Gila – please schedule your breakdowns

The canyon feels too alive after dark. I hear animals splashing across the river nearby, their movements echoing off the cliffs. Then, something ventures too close to my camp. I...

Jan 7, 2025 : Speedy Pinecone
John Muir Trail Day 25: The Day We Finally Stepped NOBO Feet into Yosemite

John Muir Trail Day 25: The Day We Finally Stepped NOBO Feet into Yosemite

Today is the day. The thought exploded into my mind causing adrenaline to ignite a mental wildfire, burning every last speck of sleep away as I woke up on the...

Jan 7, 2025 : Bernadette Rankin
John Muir Trail Day 24: The Jewels of the JMT and My Most Favorite Part of the Trail Very Few Talk About

John Muir Trail Day 24: The Jewels of the JMT and My Most Favorite Part of the Trail Very Few Talk About

The minute I opened my eyes on the morning of Day 24 on the John Muir Trail, I had my sights set on Yosemite National Park. We were within a...

Jan 6, 2025 : Bernadette Rankin
John Muir Trail Day 22/23: Why My Feral Self No Longer Belongs in Normal Society/Devil’s Postpile to Gladys Lake

John Muir Trail Day 22/23: Why My Feral Self No Longer Belongs in Normal Society/Devil’s Postpile to Gladys Lake

There’s a certain amount of unavoidable culture shock that hits as soon as a hiker’s shoes leave the dirt trail and step onto the sidewalk of society…and, equally, the intensity...

Jan 5, 2025 : Bernadette Rankin
John Muir Trail Day 21: Desperately Seeking a Mammoth Zero

John Muir Trail Day 21: Desperately Seeking a Mammoth Zero

There was no helping bad sleep or waking up stupid early on Day 21 on the John Muir Trail. In fact, it was inevitable since my husband, Cliff and I...

Jan 3, 2025 : Bernadette Rankin
John Muir Trail Day 20: The Battle of the Many Unnamed Passes and Why Are We Doing This?

John Muir Trail Day 20: The Battle of the Many Unnamed Passes and Why Are We Doing This?

When I surfaced out of sleep and into the dawn of Day 20 on the John Muir Trail, I realized just how mentally and physically done I was the day...

Jan 2, 2025 : Bernadette Rankin
John Muir Trail Day 18/19: Burrito Regret and Silver (Staircase) Pass 

John Muir Trail Day 18/19: Burrito Regret and Silver (Staircase) Pass 

After eating ourselves into a food coma and sleeping on the ground in Mushroom City, my husband, Cliff and I received the best possible news on Day 18 of the...

Dec 31, 2024 : Bernadette Rankin
John Muir Trail Day 17: Anus Graffiti, Middle Finger Pass and VVR Influencers

John Muir Trail Day 17: Anus Graffiti, Middle Finger Pass and VVR Influencers

Climbing out of the tent on the morning of Day 17 on the John Muir Trail felt like an all out brawl between my sore body, tired mind and the...

Dec 30, 2024 : Bernadette Rankin