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Posts Tagged With: Long Distance Hiking
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Categories: My books, Reg’s Books, Scottish Highlands and beyond, South West Coast Path, The Way of Saint Francis, The Way of St Francis, Tour du Mont Blanc
Tags: Adventure/Memoir, Amazon best-seller, Amazon Hiking and Walking books, Author and Book, book, England’s Longest National Trail, Long Distance Hiking, long distance trekking, memoir, memoirs, Reader Choice, South West Coast Path, The Way of Saint Francis, The Way of St Francis, The Way of St. Francis, Tour du Mont Blanc, West Highland Way
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Readers Respond
We love to hear from our readers!
Thank you all for your ongoing positive responses. Your Amazon reviews help keep Trippin’ Through My 60s at the top of the hiking books reading list.
Keep ’em coming!
Categories: Reg’s Books, Scottish Highlands and beyond, South West Coast Path, The Way of Saint Francis, The Way of St Francis, Tour du Mont Blanc
Tags: adventure, Adventure/Memoir, Author and Book, Camino Adventure/Memoir, distance trekking, England’s Longest National Trail, Long Distance Hiking, long distance trekking, South West Coast Path, The Way of Saint Francis, The Way of St Francis, The Way of St. Francis, Tour du Mont Blanc, Trekking Book, West Highland Way, whats a great book to read
Leave a comment
Readers Respond
We love to hear from our readers!
Thank you all for your ongoing positive responses. Your Amazon reviews help keep Trippin’ Through My 60s at the top of the hiking books reading list.
Keep ’em coming!
Categories: My books, Reg’s Books, Scottish Highlands and beyond, South West Coast Path, The Way of Saint Francis, The Way of St Francis, Tour du Mont Blanc
Tags: adventure, Adventure/Memoir, Amazon best-seller, Amazon Hiking and Walking books, Author and Book, book, European long-distance trails, European trekking, Long Distance Hiking, long distance trekking, sedona hiking, South West Coast Path, southwest, The Way of Saint Francis, The Way of St Francis, The Way of St. Francis, Tour du Mont Blanc, Trekking Book, West Highland Way
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European Trekking Adventures Await
Announcing the release of Reg’s new book.
“I needed a reality check. I was lost on the first day of the most challenging trek of my life.”
Reginald Spittle
Trippin’ Through My 60s
Leaving the working world behind, Reg closed his office door for the last time. Rejecting a life of golf and relaxation, he soon discovers his new passion where he least expects it. In Trippin’ Through My 60s, Reg and his wife Sue continue their adventures on four famed European long-distance trails:
- Scotland’s West Highland Way
- The Alps’ Tour du Mont Blanc
- Italy’s Way of St. Francis
- England’s South West Coast Path
Unexpected turns, humor and memories of life in the Sixties create the backdrop in this gripping story as Reg tackles backpacking escapades the push him to the edge.
Now available at Amazon.com
Categories: My books, Reg’s Books
Tags: adventure, Adventure/Memoir, Amazon Hiking and Walking books, Author and Book, backpacking, Backpacking Travel, European long-distance trails, European trekking, Long Distance Hiking, long distance trekking, South West Coast Path, The Way of St Francis, Tour du Mont Blanc, travel, Trekking Book, West Highland Way
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John Muir Trail: Impressions along the trail
It was our 26th day of walking when I began tracking the barefoot prints leading down the switchbacks to Garnet Lake. I wondered if someone was walking in those barefoot shoes, the ones with individual slots for each of your toes. But the prints were so perfect, as if each step had been carefully placed to create the most precise impression.
Playing the part of a JMT detective, I tracked the footprints downhill. They all looked pretty fresh, so I figured sooner or later Reg and I were bound to catch up with the owner. Up ahead, carefully choosing each step along a rockier part of the trail was Ken, the barefoot hiker. We exchanged a few pleasantries. If my memory is correct, at that point he had walked 148 miles without shoes. An unusual approach to hiking the John Muir Trail, but as our friend Lori is fond of saying, ”You’ve got to hike your own hike.” We played leapfrog along the trail throughout the morning before losing sight of him.
When we told the story around our dinner circle that night, Emma, the packer who led our mule train, laughed and explained that when she came up behind him on the trail and saw his shorts and black leggings, she assumed it was Reg and (ready to give a lecture on safety) shouted down at him, ”Where are your shoes?”
That was the only day we saw Ken and we wondered what had become of him. While scrolling through Facebook the other day, I stumbled upon a post which led me to Ken’s blog post and my questions were answered. I’ve included a link for you below.
https://thelongbrownpath.com/2021/09/10/170-miles-barefoot-on-the-john-muir-trail/
I’d encourage you to read through his story. It’s inspiring and may just encourage you to ”hike your own hike” someday too!
Categories: John Muir Trail
Tags: Backpacking in California, Backpacking in the Sierra, Backpacking the John Muir Trail, Barefoot on the John Muir Trail, California's John Muir Trail, High altitude hiking, Hiking the John Muir Trail, Hiking the John Muir Trail with mule packers, John Muir Trail, Long Distance Hiking, photography, Photos
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John Muir Trail: Rocky Roads
*Click on title above to activate slideshow below.
While walking the John Muir Trail is a major accomplishment for even the most experienced of hikers, the creation and ongoing maintenance of the path are the true achievements. It is certainly no stroll through the park! Every day presented unexpected challenges for us along rough and rocky trails, testing our feet, ankles and knees. How do hikers do it without trekking poles?
Categories: John Muir Trail
Tags: backpacking, Backpacking in California, Backpacking in the Sierra, Backpacking the John Muir Trail, California's John Muir Trail, High Sierra Backpacking, Hiking the John Muir Trail, Hiking the John Muir Trail with mule packers, John Muir Trail, Long Distance Hiking, long distance trekking, photography, Photos, Rocky Trails, Sierra Nevada Backpacking
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John Muir Trail: Dry feet and green meadows
*Click on title above to activate slide shows.
Water crossings can present a huge problem for early season John Muir backpackers. Having watched countless YouTube videos showing some rather frightening river levels, we were wary of what might flow through the trail in our path. Unfortunately, (but lucky for us) California is experiencing a drought along with what was a low 2020/2021 snowfall year. Even Evolution Creek, which often presents a fast running, thigh-high obstacle, was only ankle deep. That was the only place we chose to take our shoes off due to the lack of large stepping stones.
Reg and I got pretty good at navigating rocks across waterways, but we were happy to see a number of bridges scattered along the trail. A few of them were much appreciated, even after the dry winter season.
Some bridges are built to last. 
Others are pretty rickety. 
Wallace Creek was one of our longer stone crossings. 
Garnet Lake foot bridge spans a plunging cascade below. 
Stepping stones all in a row. 
The swinging bridge over Woods Creek was like walking on a carnival Tilt-O-Whirl. 
What was Reg looking at? 
Another bridge allowed a safe crossing. 
Foot bridge above Nevada Falls in Yosemite.
While the water levels weren’t as high as we expected, the countless meadows remained surprisingly green and, in some cases, quite lush. We found them to be a relaxing contrast to the sharp angles of steep granite passes and rocky pathways.
Categories: John Muir Trail
Tags: backpacking, Backpacking in California, Backpacking in the Sierra, Backpacking the John Muir Trail, California's John Muir Trail, Hiking in there Sierra Nevada, Hiking the John Muir Trail, Hiking the John Muir Trail with mule packers, John Muir Trail, John Muir Trail bridges, John Muir Trail meadows, Long Distance Hiking, photography, Photos, Sierra Nevada Backpacking, travel
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John Muir Trail: The most beautiful lakes
We were surprised by the sheer number of lakes, ponds and watering holes scattered along the John Muir Trail. Most were so crystal clear that we could count the fish swimming about. Our group was lucky enough to camp at a few of them and Reg and I enjoyed lunch along the shore of others. In between, I snapped photos left and right, hoping I’d be able to remember which was which.
Categories: John Muir Trail
Tags: backpacking, Backpacking in California, Backpacking in the Sierra, Backpacking the John Muir Trail, Backpacking with Mules, California's John Muir Trail, High Sierra Backpacking, Hiking the John Muir Trail, Hiking the John Muir Trail with mule packers, John Muir Trail, Lakes along the John Muir Trail, landscapes, Long Distance Hiking, photography, Photos, Sierra Nevada Backpacking
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John Muir Trail: Trail Angel Magic
*Click on title above to activate slideshows
We crossed into the John Muir Wilderness on August 18th, our 17th day of walking. The following day we tackled another pass – 10,898 ft. Selden Pass. Perhaps because of the lower elevation, the approach to the pass was not nearly as stark and rocky as some of the other passes. We enjoyed the wooded trail, passing by several lakes as we slowly climbed.
“Hurry up!” I heard the shout from Steve, one of our group members. He was standing above me at the top of the pass. “Hamburgers and hot dogs!” I didn’t believe him, but I hurried to the top, just to make sure I wouldn’t miss out if, by some miracle, he was telling the truth. I couldn’t believe my eyes. What I saw sent me dashing back to the trail to yell the very same thing down to Reg…”Reg, hurry up! Hamburgers and hot dogs!”
Like a mirage, our trail angels appeared as we summitted. Fully prepared with a gas grill, they had hiked up to Selden Pass with 50 pounds of frozen burgers and buns, hot dogs and buns, ketchup, mustard, a cooler of Sierra Nevada beer and banana bread for dessert! The four had flown from across the country with a plan to surprise the father (who was walking the trail) of two of the young men, but all who passed by that day shared in the surprise of a lifetime.
Categories: John Muir Trail
Tags: Backpacking the John Muir Trail, California's John Muir Trail, hiking, Hiking the John Muir Trail, Hiking the John Muir Trail with mule packers, John Muir Trail, Long Distance Hiking, long distance trekking, Marie Lake, Selden Pass, Sierra Nevada Backpacking, Sierra Nevada beer, Trail angels
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John Muir Trail: Over the river and into the woods
*Click on title above to activate slide show below.
Crossing Wallace Creek and climbing 1,000 feet to the Bighorn Plateau eventually brought us to one of our more unique and out-of-the-way campgrounds near Tyndall Creek. The day was hot with long shadeless stretches that were especially tiring for all who had summited Mt. Whitney the day before.
It might appear charming in the photo but by the time we all reached our campsite (a good mile off the trail and not well marked) it was late and getting dark. We all still had to set our tents up, organize our things and filter water for the next day…and we were all tired, cranky and hungry. Thinking back, this was possibly the low point of the trip for Reg and me. We went to bed wondering just what we had gotten ourselves into.
However, it wouldn’t be the last time that our itinerary seemed at odds with the reality of our day. We were learning that a John Muir Mile could not be trusted to cover the same short distance as a regular mile. And we had many more miles to go.
Categories: John Muir Trail
Tags: backpacking, Backpacking in the Sierra, Backpacking the John Muir Trail, Backpacking with Mules, California's John Muir Trail, Hiking the John Muir Trail, Hiking the John Muir Trail with mule packers, John Muir Trail, landscapes, Long Distance Hiking, long distance trekking, photography, Photos
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