Prep Posts - John Muir Trail

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#1

I was intrigued by a guest book entry that said, “It is funny how many JMT journals go unfinished . I think some get so caught up in writing a journal that they forget they actually have to hike 220 miles.”

Of the 30 journals for the JMT listed for 2006, the list shows: 1 cancelled; 1 was not a thru hike; 3 have unknown status (journal never updated past the prep stage); 10 did not complete the thru hike; 16 completed the thru hike.

Of the 16 that completed the hike, the average “prep posts” was 4.4. The high was 9 and the low was 0.

Of the 10 that their journals showed did not complete the hike, the average “prep posts” was 8.1. The high was 20 and the low was 0.

Looks like on the average, those that pre-talk about it the most, don’t complete it.

Gary W.

#2

In my case, you’re right about the prep post tendency, but wrong about not having completed. I did 3 prep posts, finished the trail, and simply haven’t been able to tackle the daunting task (not really, but it’s easy to put off) of transcribing my journal and posting my pics. I’ll try to do it eventually.

During and just before the hike, the hike seemed like THE thing. The only thing. Back in the real world, it just seems like a distant memory…not even sure it happened. I’m glad i wrote every night, or i wouldn’t remember much at all. I’m glad for this website, to keep at least one part of my mind back in my hiking time. Everyone post more in the JMT room!

markv

#3

Your journal did not show yesterday when I did the computations. I noticed that 32 journals were listed in the summary, but only 30 were actually showing at that time. Now, yours is showing for some reason. Looks like another journal is also in that category. I would have shown you as unknown, since your journal was not completed. Looking forward now to reading your adventure.

Gary W.

#4

Gary W.
I think you suppose a correllation that is spurious at best. As a JMT non finisher, I am personally offended by your conclusion.

My prep journal entries were intended to both inform others who might follow and bring some order to my own planning process. I certain regret not finishing. My not being able to complete the Trail had everything to do with my careless regard for hydration and nothing to do with the number of trail journal prep notes.

I left the trail due to heat exhaustion and kidney failure. I posted my last entry as a cautionary note. My medical expenses edged up to over $9,000. The Yosemite Clinic was the only reasonalble charge at $485.00 but the hospital visits in Modesto and Palo Alto were over $3,800 each not including the physician charges. With such dire consequences of my heat exhaustion, I closed my entries with the information about my experience. Candidly, I have felt chagrin and embarasement about not finishing. You supposition only magnifies those feelings and frankly has ended any further plans to post a Trail Journal.

Clark Fork

Clark Fork

#5

Clark, i hope you don’t feel any more embarrasment or offense. I’m not sure that Gary meant it as a slight, but whether he did or not, i think most everyone on here knows that not finishing isn’t a poor reflection on the hiker. It just means, in your case, that circumstances happened. I finished the JMT. I didn’t finish some big mountains i tried to climb. Hopefully those big mountains don’t diminish me. (Of course, just to be sure, i’m going back to try them again. F*&^%&$&&@ Gannett Peak.)

Gary, my j ournal didn’t show up before because i had it listed as inactive until i could finish it. So after reading your post, i got off my duff (well actually i was sitting down) and transcribed a few pictures and 2 days of journal notes. More to come, hopefully soon.

I’m not sure the statistical sample (and the stat itself) is representative or not. If it IS though, maybe the reason is that the most experienced thru-hikers, the ones perhaps more likely to finish, take preparations more in stride since they’ve done them before. Which is too bad, since those are the people whose preparations might be the most instructive to read.

markv

#6

Hey-
I find this interesting… I was one of the completed hikes (although our Thru started at Tuolumned Meadows where we could get permits). I went back and I had 5 Prep entries. Funny thing is HOW I decided how many entries- I wouldn’t let myself write more than one per month before starting.
I blew that theory to heck with my PCT journal, but that’s because I have so many more expectations and anticipations that I want to remember so that I can reflect on them at the end. Part of posting the whole experience is writing about those… Hopefully that won’t correspond to my hiking distance in 2007…
-Sharon

Sharon

#7

didja get treated at Yosemite by Linda Lee??

dish

#8

I guess I WILL have to adopt ‘All Hat and No Cattle’ as a trail name - as I suggested in a prep entry.

Len

#9

Then there are those who forgot to switch their status from “currently hiking” to “completed thru-hike”. Although it would be nice, albeit very cold, to still be out there.

I found the pre-hike entries to be good in that they let me know that there would be an interesting cross section of people out on the trail. I too noticed the trend that people preparing to do their first (last?) thru-hike tend to post more pre-entries than those who are repeat offenders. In my case I was chomping at the bit to get the hike going so it was almost therapeutic to post entries ahead of time.

I also noticed that when you put your “normal” life on hold to take a long hike it has a way of demanding your full attention once you get back. Transcribing journal entries was a much harder task than I thought it would be, although it did help to keep the whole thing real for an extra month. I now understand why there are so many uncompleted journals.

I have a hard time with the idea that the success/failure of a thru-hike is measured by completion. I struggled with that at the mid-point of the hike when injuries and weather almost made me quit. Too much of our lives are already measured in accomplishments and not enough in simply enjoying. It’s a hike. Enjoy it because the JMT is, mile by mile, one spectacularly beautiful trail. I’m thankful that it worked out for me, but I firmly believe that completetion was just a bonus.

Snowball

#10

Clarke, please do not feel embarassed about not finishing. I failed my first attempt but it was a great experience nonetheless. Its not the destination, but the journey. Sounds a little trite but it is true. I would rather read the journal of someone who struggled and did not finish then someone who breezed through without any problems.

I encourage you to share your experience with others as it may help others in their own planning.

theirs no shame in trying and failing, only shame in not trying at all.:cheers

JalanJalan

#11

First off, to the class of 2006 for the JMT, I salute you. To embark on an adventure like this is to be commended. Whether the entire trail was completed or not, you all are in envy from those that never attempted.

I found these numbers interesting too. I also spent some time looking through all the journals to see what these numbers meant. I see the numbers as close, but with a different perspective. Maybe it’s not the number of pre-posts, but the quality within the number of pre-posts. Strict numbers don’t look at the quality.

If the pre-posts actually share quality information, then the number shouldn’t matter. However, many pre-posts were nothing more than rambling, or as I saw it, “winter bound” journalists pre-living their adventure.

I also saw several journals that waited 2 or 3 months after their final pre-posts to finish their journal entries. I understand that journals are a major commitment, but readers are waiting for the final entries. Journalists should consider their readers.

I did not see any personal attacks in the original post. No names were mentioned, so no hard feelings should be felt. I would encourage all future hikers to post their journal with the thought that literally thousands of people are reading and waiting to see how your adventure turned out.

My 2 cents.

Jim

#12

Yeah, that’s it.

But you can call me Al.

Len

#13

Jim nailed it. The content of pre-hike posts say a lot about ones perception of a JMT thru hike. Anyone who has been on the trail for more than a week at a time knows what pre-hike priorities are. Such as CONDITIONING, shaving weight, meal variety, LONG shake down hikes and more CONDITIONING. If handing out gifts along the way is a pre-hike priority, there is a higher than average chance you are going to get hurt along the way. Or worse, put others in danger in a SAR effort.

It is just walking

#14

iijw, couldn’t you try just a little bit harder?

Gary W., Jim, iijw, give us a link to your journals, and show us how it oughta be done!

Perhaps I shouldn’t feed this troll-a-rama, but it’s too early to pre-live next year’s adventure.

Len

#15

Looks like on the average, those that pre-talk about it the most, don’t complete it. From Gary W.

This applies to ALL trails and hikes not just the JMT…as far as completing a thru hike that is!! But to imply if you post in a pre hike mode means you won’t complete a trail is just too funny…someone has far to much time on their hands!
NO where in the rules of the TJ does it have a limited pre-post requirement. So I do not understand the purpose of this thread?

oh brother what a joke

#16

It isn’t really a joke. Over the many years of watching people prepare for thruhikes, I’ve noticed that a lot of the people who were the most enthusiastic before the trail were the first to leave the trail. Perhaps it’s because their expectations are so high and reality doesn’t match. You would think that all that prehike enthusiasm would guarantee success, especially when they buy the best gear, train hard, read about the trail, etc. But somehow it doesn’t always work that way. OTOH, I’ve known a lot of hikers who left with little or no preparation who did just fine.

One thing I have learned over the years, it is impossible to truly predict how another hiker will do. Some that seem like sure bets to finish, go home the first week. Others who seem totally unprepared do well. An outsider has no idea how deep the motivation goes, and how determined the other is to finish. Some have fairly superficial motivation but are really stubborn. Others are highly motivated, but won’t persist when the hike is no longer fun. Will is a better predictor than desire, but only the hiker knows how strong his/her commitment is - and sometimes they only learn that when the chips are down.

On my first AT thruhike I was told by another hiker in Hot Springs, “I never thought you would get this far.” I don’t know why he said that. I not only completed the AT, I completed four other long hikes. I may not look much like a long distance hiker, but I am one.

Ginny

#17

Hmmm…now that I think about it, I believe the phrase that is usually uttered is: ‘All hat, no cattle’. No ‘and’ in there.

So - ‘Al Hanoca’ it is. Loses some of the Middle-Eastern flavor, but that might be a safer bet in these times. Too bad I can’t stick one of those ‘vote - see results’ buttons in here, and let TF readers express their preferences.

In any case, you can still call me Al.

Len

#18

Journaling or the number of prep entries has absoultely nothing to do with whether or not you finish a hike. It’s all about whether or not you are mentally and physically prepared to deal with the trail experience.

Sure, a journal can act as a motivator, but it’s not going to get you over those mountain passes. Only determination, or in my case, stubborness will do it.

Anyway, the JMT was great fun. A real head trip!!! I would recommend an August start to avoid the snow fields. That’s me though. Whatever you choose, have fun! And drink plenty of water! This is not the Appalachians.

Jeffrey Hunter

#19

Prep entries, on the trail entries, post hikes entries… They are essentially all the same. They are a summary of the thoughts and feelings of the person who hikes or is about to hike the trail, whatever trail that may be. They convey the inner thoughts of the person who is willing to open their life to the thousands of people who come across this site (or other sites that they choose to post on).

I did about 2/3 of the JMT this past summer from Whitney to Red’s Meadow where we pulled out early due to some health reasons on my part and running out of time to finish the trail. It was not worth the 25 plus mile days to finish the trip given my situation. Was I embarrased to pull out early, no way! It was a great hike that exceeded all of my pre-plan notions.

I read the journals on this site on a regular basis to prepare for my hike. Those from the PCT to find out what type of conditions to expect (thanks to all of you) and those on the JMT to see who I might run into along the way. I actually ran into a few people that kept journals on this site and have traded emails about our trips. It was nice to see some familar faces along the way.

I chose to do a post trip online journal on a separate site to convey my thoughts and observations of my trip. The journal mainly came from my noptebook entries from each day. Reading back through the handwritten notes after the completion was very interesting as it showed the emotions one goes through on a long hike.

Your welcome to read and share in my experiences here (http://www.hardinflat.com/allyn/index.html). It also has some of the pre-trip planning informaiton I gleaned along the way. I guess since I did not pre-trip posts and did not finish, I may be skewing this data some!

:happy

Old Grey