RedDoug
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Post by RedDoug on Dec 8, 2015 20:15:46 GMT -8
I posted this story under another heading but I think it belongs here, so here it is........
Time for the JMT soup Nazi story.....
I started the JMT with one friend but by the 2nd day we had picked up a solo noboer hiking the same route we were. His name was Todd from Wisc. Todd and I got along well.
Coming into Tuolumne Meadows Todd and I were both anticipating malts at the TM's grill. BTW, in mid July Tuolumne Meadows is an exciting place to be. Lots of PCT thru hikers still passing thru and Tuolumne Meadows is a major resupply stop for, I would say, all of them. The PCT and the JMT separate there at Tuolumne Meadows. Todd and I went into the grill, got in line, queued up to the order place and asked for.... and malts. The young lady behind the counter told us, "We don't have malts." We began to tell her how important malts were to thru hikers, and she told us she just worked there, and we told her... and suddenly her facial expression changed and she yelled out, "OK, no soup for you!!" Then we all had a good laugh ate our what-evers without malts.
I started the hike with a guy named David. David had never been away from his wife for more than maybe 2 weeks before and the 22 days we were on the trail had him feeling homesick and he really wanted to quit at Tuolumne so my hike actually ended there. Todd went on to Happy Isle's where he met his wife and the trip for all of us came to an end.
Just a snapshot from my JMT hike in July.
David and I were a very poor match for hiking partners. I linger all day and enjoy the time along the way, stopping often and then get into camp late, set up my tent, eat a meal as the sun sets and enjoy the evening coming on. David liked to be in camp early, get to bed early and be up at first light ready to go. I never do that. So he would take off and leave me and eventually at night, usually, we would be camped at the same site.
I am in no hurry any more and I know how to get my 10- 12 miles in and I took all day to do it. I am going to use the trail name No Hurry on the Arizona Trail this spring.
Maybe another story later.
~No Hurry (RedDoug)
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markskor
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Mammoth Lakes & Tuolumne Meadows...living the dream
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Post by markskor on Dec 8, 2015 21:26:34 GMT -8
Nice story -
RE - trail names.
While in the grand scheme of things, probably doesn't make a damn bit of difference, but...
My understanding is that trail names are never given to oneself, (You can always tell)...must be bestowed on you by someone else and usually accompanied by some embarrassing story too.
BTW, You can choose not to accept that particular name but usually it sticks to you anyway, for at least for the remainder of that particular trail. YMMV.
Ansel... 1992 - PCT
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RedDoug
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Post by RedDoug on Dec 8, 2015 21:49:26 GMT -8
My exposure to trail names is limited. I have had it go both ways.
Example, on the CDT in NM I picked up the name Keymaster. It was from an incident involving a key that didn't work in my van and a towing bill and new starter that was "keyed" to nothing more than using an incorrectly made key.
No, I am not going to tell anymore of that story.
On the JMT this summer I was given the trail name Mini Bear, which I am not going to explain either. I got the name from Moses and Pop Tart who we met at a campsite- they were sobo and we were nobo. The problem with a name "bestowed" on you only happens if the name is given in anyone else's hearing. I was hiking with 2 other guys. For the rest of the JMT I became Mini Bear to Todd.
User names, self-chosen and used on forums like this, may carry over onto the trail, but then again, maybe not.
I suggest a long distance hiker give himself a trail name he can live with and hope it sticks before something else does.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Dec 9, 2015 17:04:07 GMT -8
I like the "No Hurry" attitude, and the name tells the story. Keep it. Who cares who gives it to you? No one has ever given me a trail name, so if I wanted one, I'd give it to myself.
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zeke
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Peekaboo slot 2023
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Post by zeke on Dec 10, 2015 6:58:36 GMT -8
Sooo tempting.No one has ever given me a trail name,
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Dec 10, 2015 7:39:04 GMT -8
Sooo tempting.No one has ever given me a trail name, Keep it clean, Zeke! |
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RedDoug
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Post by RedDoug on Dec 10, 2015 9:04:58 GMT -8
Trail names only work with long distance hiking that involves (my opinion) at least 2 resupply points.
On the JMT this summer I only used Vermillion Valley Resort for resupply to save money. Nobo I think from where we started it was close to 120 miles to VVR, than just over 100 miles to finish. I can still carry supplies for 10- 12 days.
I would rather carry the extra weight than walk the extra miles into some resupply point. Right there I see the ingredients for a trail name but it isn't popping out at me. On the JMT I was Mini Bear.
Maybe I will tell that story after all on another thread.
The rise of Mini Bear!!!
Nice sound to it.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Dec 10, 2015 14:09:53 GMT -8
RD, I have thought about that trade-off, too--the one between carrying more weight or having to spend extra days going out for supplies. At this point, we aren't really planning anything long enough to need a resupply, and will probably test our abilities by doing 9 or 10 days without (because we want to get somewhere we can't do in less time, and nowhere near a trail head!). Our main cheat will probably be to use a packer for the first day. That can really help, by getting the heaviest load over the first pass when we are least acclimatized.
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dayhiker
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Post by dayhiker on Dec 10, 2015 19:28:10 GMT -8
"I would rather carry the extra weight"
Maybe MiniBar
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RedDoug
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Post by RedDoug on Dec 10, 2015 21:01:21 GMT -8
RD, I have thought about that trade-off, too--the one between carrying more weight or having to spend extra days going out for supplies. At this point, we aren't really planning anything long enough to need a resupply, and will probably test our abilities by doing 9 or 10 days without
Rebecca, I highly recommend a longer trip where at least 1 resupply is necessary. It gives you a feel of what long distance hiking is like.
Basic check-list on any backpacker's list should be:
1. First solo trip at least 4 nights/5days. A single night out really doesn't count here.
2. First 100 miler
3. First 200 miler
4. First long distance backpack trip with at least one resupply day.
Ideally, that resupply day should be in a town where one does laundry, resupplies, eats town food, sleeps off the ground in a real bed. If it is in a community where you can meet other long distance hikers the town/resupply experience will be enhanced.
Off the JMT this summer 3 of us used a hostel in Mammoth, CA that was set up to accommodate 4 sleepers. There were only 2 of us in the room that night, me and the guy I was hiking with but he really had no understanding what a town night was for and I ended up eating pizza alone in a sport bar. For breakfast I think he ate Spanish rice or something from his pack. Todd and I hoofed it down to a bakery with a German spelling but sounds like "Shots" and ate cream puffs and other fancy stuff before heading back to the JMT via the local shuttle system. Todd had gotten into town before us and we didn't connect until after I got back from pizza.
Word of caution here. Long distance hiking/lifestyle can be addicting. So be careful how you use it...... 
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Dec 11, 2015 8:04:40 GMT -8
RD--I did do one, long ago in another life (i.e., before spouse and kids). That's why it itches at me to do more. I hiked from Canada south to Steven's Pass (Highway 2) in Washington, with a resupply in Stehekin. That was solo, so I guess I've covered your list--and highly recommend it (though at this point I'm quite happy to have my partner, especially as he can carry a bit more than I can, which helps make my life easier).
We have been talking about the JMT, but I think we would actually enjoy more something that spent just as long wandering around, but not on the busy corridor. I am thinking of putting together 100 miles of something like a "good parts" version.
And I KNOW it's an addicting lifestyle, even without going for long distances. I've been suffering this fall from Nature Deficit Disorder.
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RedDoug
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Post by RedDoug on Dec 11, 2015 8:28:54 GMT -8
Rebecca, I live in southern AZ and this is prime time. Usually I am out hiking frequently in the Superstition Mtns, Pickpost Mtn, somewhere. But I was hit with valley fever and for the last month have had trouble breathing, or just staying awake. I keep looking out at the Supers- I can see them from my house- and I have some excellent day loops I like- can't do any of them right now. It is so vexing!!!!
Nature Deficit Disorder- I am sure I have it too along with the valley fever.
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mk
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Post by mk on Dec 11, 2015 18:27:00 GMT -8
But I was hit with valley fever and for the last month have had trouble breathing, or just staying awake. Hope you feel better and get back to the trail soon -- I'm really enjoying your stories! |
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RedDoug
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Post by RedDoug on Dec 11, 2015 19:08:27 GMT -8
Hope you feel better and get back to the trail soon -- I'm really enjoying your stories! Mk, thank-you. I think yesterday and today I am starting to turn the corner towards recovery. I was even able to play some pickleball this morning. |
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Post by wondermonkey on Dec 13, 2015 10:58:24 GMT -8
RE: Trail Names
A sometimes hiker friend of mine is trying his best to assign trail names. He gives himself one that is as cool as possible and wants us to call him that. He also trys to give us trail names. I do have a trail name but he wants to give "cooler" ones. It doesn't work that way.
That's about the only annoying thing about him so we allow him to live.
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