A single step
Some wise traveler once said every difficult journey begins with a single step. For Bee reporter Diana Marcum and photographer Darrell Wong, hiking the first leg of the John Muir Trail, that step took place Tuesday morning in Yosemite Valley.
Following their first night sleeping on hard ground and some last-minute errands, the group of four backpackers, including 27-year-old Visalia natives Emily Franciskovich and Jim Hurley, who are hiking the
entire 211 miles, said goodbye to civilization by departing the Happy Isles Nature Center at 10 a.m.
After 2½ hours of climbing graded switchbacks above the majestic Merced River, we reached the top of Nevada Fall and ate lunch on a rock perched near the brink.
Tired but progressing well, the group decided to forgo the backpackers' camp at Little Yosemite Valley - it was only 1:30 -- for more isolated sites near where the JMT meets the trail to Cloud's Rest. While Emily
and Jim tackled nearby Half Dome, Diana and Darrell reached the designated campsite at about 4 p.m. I
congratulated both of them for making it this far and guzzling more than 2 liters of water apiece on a
sunny, cloudless day. Now go down to the creek and filter some more.
Barring any setbacks, the group should reach Tuolumne Meadows (and its store, café and flushing toilets) by Thursday afternoon.
Comments
that was very cool of you to guide them on the first day marek.
Posted by: eric | August 10, 2006 01:46 AM
Photos? when do we get photos?
Posted by: Dudley Robertson | August 10, 2006 05:44 AM
It's too bad not any one of them gets to do the whole JMT. With the differences in terrain, temp, scenery and climbs it would be very interesting to hear their discoveries. Also, three weeks is a long time for "real reflection". Just some thoughts for future events.
Posted by: Tory Sherman | August 10, 2006 01:23 PM
So Marek,
How did the warm-up to LYV feel on the new body? You look to have the best leg of this trip as far as I'm concerned. Lots of good tips on the blog from some folks who have been there, done that. Cooler weather coming but keep an eye on precipitation and possible thunder bumpers with light swords.
Above all else... have fun.
Posted by: "Yosemite Dan" Carter | August 15, 2006 07:00 AM