Hiking the John Muir Trail with 68yr Old Mom & 74yr Old Friend!

Hiking the John Muir Trail was something on Emily's moms bucket list for as long as I've known her. And honestly for as long as I've heard her talk about the JMT through hike I had a feeling that Emily and I would be the two to make it happen.
When 2023 rolled around we looked at our schedule, available time off, and willingness to leave modern society for a month, and decided to try to pull a John Muir Trail permit for the Aug/Sept timeframe.
Emily put in all of the planning for pulling the permit, and low and behold she actually pulled the permit TWICE!! The first time happened to be the wrong permit (because the info on the site is very unclear), but she got the correct permit the second try, and that's when all the really HARD planning started!
Links from show:
Permit Info www.pcta.org/discover-the-tra...
Bare Foot Theory bearfoottheory.com/?s=John+Mu...
AllTrails John Muir Trail Map www.alltrails.com/explore/tra...
Our Garmin GPS Info
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KZbin Timestamps
00:00 Start
00:14 Why we are doing this
02:08 Schedule
04:03 Food prep
07:07 Travel to Reno
07:48 Putting van in storage
08:37 Last food drop
09:32 Day 1
11:49 Day 2
14:20 Day 3
15:42 Day 4 Reds Meadow
17:14 First rain storm
18:30 Day 5
18:58 River crossing
20:51 Day 6
23:19 Vermilion Valley Resort
24:21 Day 7
27:54 Day 8
30:07 Muir Ranch Resupply
33:07 San Joaquin River crossing
35:26 Day 9
38:55 Muir Pass
40:20 Day 10
41:42 Kayakers
43:16 Day 11
46:20 Mather Pass
47:26 CRAZY rainbow
49:19 Day 12
51:11 Day 13
56:07 Glen Pass
57:00 Day 14 Kearsarge Pass
58:04 Onion Valley resupply
59:07 Day 15
60:20 Forester Pass
61:48 Day 16
62:43 Guitar Lake
63:28 Day 17
64:49 Mt Whitney pack drop
69:08 Mt Whitney summit
71:52 The finish
72:34 Hitchhiking
72:59 JMT thoughts
Spanish Summer by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Happy Strummin by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...

[@kevindillenbeck1698]

What sections were your favorite? What sections were your least favorite?

[@TheVantasticLife]

We'll have to ask each person because I'm sure we all have different answers. I'll try to gather the answers for you. Joe - My favorite was the forest after Reds Meadow in the mist, and again the forest before hiking up to Guitar Lake. I like trees more than rocks or big views. I also liked the first half of the Mather Pass climb (Golden Staircase). Least favorite was the first day through Tuolumne Meadows. It was just flat and boring. And the bugs were also my least favorite! Emily - I really liked Kearsarge Pass on the JMT side. Both the Kearsarge Pass trail and the Bullfrog Lake trail (when we hiked out for the last resupply). Tuolumne to Reds Meadow was my least favorite. The question is out to Sue and Steve. I'll update if I get the answers. Don't be surprised if they don't have least favorites. ;-)

[@TheVantasticLife]

Sue - My favorites were Evolution Basin and Rae Lakes AND the top of every pass!! The least favorite were climbing through the avalanche debris and some of the big stream crossings! 😜

[@TheVantasticLife]

Steve - Favorite was from Tuolume Meadows to Mt. Whitney, least from summit to Portal trailhead.

[@strawberrygirl8572]

Wish I could give this 2 thumbs up. Loved it. My kids just did the JMT. They took 24 days to do it and did a couple of side hikes along the way and took their time with it. What a beautiful adventure this trail is! Making this dream come true for your mom is even more beautiful. 💕

[@TheVantasticLife]

Thanks for the comment! :-) Tell your kids, awesome job!!!

[@KathysOutdoorAdventures]

loved your video!! I had only wished that it was more about what the title was about. I wanted to hear more about how she and her friend did with their ages. That is why I first clicked on your video. How did they do with the elevation gain, how did their bodies hold up? How did they do with sleeping on the ground for so many days etc. Again, I loved this video! So beautiful and so much information. Just had hoped it was about them more. Thank you

[@TheVantasticLife]

Hi Kathy, that is understandable. We kinda went back and forth about how much we wanted to put their personal lives into our video on our channel. I can tell you that they are both very fit and workout a lot outside of hiking the JMT, so they are very far from the average 68+ year olds. Maybe they will see this comment and have their own things to say, but I think they would tell you that not much of it was easy, but they both did good with the elevation and apart from having some issues with blisters, hot spots, and the occasional ache or pain (that we all get) they held up great! Unfortunately Steve had to leave a few days short of finishing for a wedding anniversary, but Emily's Mom (Sue) actually sped up and did more miles, faster the last 2-3 days. It was very impressive. But also what we expected from them.

[@lushtone]

We definitely wondered what happened to Steve. Having been so much a part of the trip so far, it would have been nice to hear about him at the end of the video. He just disappeared and nothing was said. Just a photo of the three of you.@@TheVantasticLife

[@TheVantasticLife]

@@lushtone You are right. I wish we would have done some interviews with Sue and Steve during the trip. We are still learning a lot about how to make these videos, and still getting comfortable asking people to be in them. Thanks for the comments and watching.

[@lushtone]

You're very welcome, and thank you for the video and your response. @@TheVantasticLife

[@VictoriaGomez-rf2qw]

Yes I wish this too! Was sue awestruck by the beauty?

[@BrianEllefritz]

So great to watch a demanding hike unfold with diverse challenges and hikers and without dynema-everything equipment. Loved this.

[@TheVantasticLife]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the comment!

[@user-ck1en7lo5y]

Probably my favorite upload! Love getting to see more of you guys in these videos. I’ve always been a pretty big homebody & watching you guys inspires me to go on more adventures & really live life to the fullest. Thank you for sharing your adventures with us!

[@TheVantasticLife]

Thanks so much for the comment! We really appreciate it, and will try to show more of ourselves in the videos to come.

[@ervinslens]

Absolutely gorgeous upload my friend

[@TheVantasticLife]

Thank you very much! Cheers!

[@GeneRodman]

When I did the High Sierra Trail from Whitney to Giant Forest I saw two kayakers going down the Kern to the hot springs but never got to talk to them. Thanks for letting me see some of places I've been throughout the years.

[@TheVantasticLife]

Oh wow! That's awesome! Thanks for the comment Gene!

[@wellseasonedhiker]

Congrats on completing the JMT. Shout out to the old folks! 🙂

[@TheVantasticLife]

Thanks! Go old folks go! ;-)

[@slangley3235]

Nice video of your adventure! The John Muir Trail starts/or finishes in Yosemite Valley...why didn't you do that section?

[@TheVantasticLife]

Thanks! There are two reasons we didn't start in the valley. 1. When you apply for permits you apply for for multiple start locations, and you get what you get. There is a very small chance that you actually get a permit. 2. Starting in Tuolumne Meadows didn't bother us because we'd all hiked that section of Yosemite Valley previously. Cheers!

[@truehealth4you539]

This was the best JMT video yet! Loved that you did that with your Mom! Your video was so informative and has great resources. Saving this video!

[@TheVantasticLife]

Thanks so much!! We appreciate it!!

[@abbyhorick102]

Would you be able to share more information on proper walking form for backpacking? Seems super helpful!

[@TheVantasticLife]

Hey Abby! You bet! I've trained as a high level athlete for a long time and trained a lot of high level athletes so it seems straightforward to me, but if this requires more info shoot me an email at [e-mail] and I'll make you a video explaining the how and why. - You are looking to keep your ankles, knees and hips aligned as you walk in shorter steps. - Longer steps will cause heel striking the ground with too much force over time. - The toes should always be pointed forward when walking straight. You can kinda think of yourself as a robot (although don't worry, you won't look like one). - When picking up your foot for a step try to do so by bending at your knee and using your hamstring to lift the leg. Easier done than said.. - Try to fall forward from your hips to create forward momentum. Rather than pushing off of your back foot/leg. Walking (and running) should be falling and catching, rather than pushing and catching. - When going downhill and steps.. --- You can turn your foot to the side when stepping down but make sure your knee is still pointing in the direction of your little toe. --- When your foot hits the ground it should hit toe/ball of foot first to use the calf as suspension, then as your weight shifts into your quads you should slightly push your knee to the outside of your foot to allow the glutes to take stress off the knee. Anytime you can slightly push your knees toward the outside of your foot (when stepping or sitting/squatting) you will be putting your knees/body in a better/safer position and allowing your glutes to get involved in the movement, which will take stress off the knees/quads. Ok, that's a lot. In practice it's not so complicated and you look like an athlete walking around (not a robot). If you have questions that are easy to answer... toss them here on KZbin but if you need more... shoot me an email. Cheers!

[@AKMcode]

Extremely well put together video that shows the rewards as well as the suck. Not everyone has the ability to embrace the suck enough to get the reward. Also so awesome that you helped Sue complete her goal while including her 74 year old friend. Good for you guys. Proud of you. Your friends Jim & Joyce.

[@TheVantasticLife]

Thanks guys! We appreciate you watching!

[@groemer9913]

Wonderful video. You are all amazing!

[@TheVantasticLife]

Aww, thanks so much! We appreciate the comment!

[@UncoolPeak125]

Great video! Love that you included details on logistics, and timestamped everything. I'm doing this trek in a few months, excited, but nervous about planning! Question: in hindsight, is there anything you would do differently?

[@TheVantasticLife]

Thanks for the awesome comment! We hope that you have an AMAZING time!! Things we would change... - Joe: Bring more salty plantain chip snacks ;-) - Emily: Can't think of anything. - Sue: Take more layers, and planning some lower mileage days.

[@UncoolPeak125]

Thanks@@TheVantasticLife! Looking forward to it! 😃

[@meliz124]

You're a tough girl and obviously very very fit from the start. Inspiring

[@TheVantasticLife]

Both girls!

[@debbiehenry3626]

Great video! The bugs! I would be interested in watching a video on the form of better walking up and down the mountains. I have a son and daughter who section hike the AT trail with me, so thankful. It’s great of both of you to take this journey with your mom and her friend. Sad her friend could not complete it all. You guys are amazing fit! To not have hiked\backpacked before, you were amazing! The backpacking bug may bite you! 🥾❤️

[@TheVantasticLife]

Hi Debbie! Thanks for the awesome comment! Making a "how to walk/hike properly" would be a great video idea! Emily and I have backpacked quite a bit in the past but not for more than 3 nights prior to this trip. Thanks again!

[@JimBobele]

Awesome Video, great trip. I love the footage. What device did you use for recording? I'll be on a 4 day trip on the JMT in August and can't wait for it. Happy hiking

[@TheVantasticLife]

Thanks Jim! We really appreciate it! All video was shot on iPhone 15 Pro.

[@nancyschley8824]

Been there! Great trip! Seems like your gentle man wasn’t excited during your trek…. You ladies seemed jazzed!

[@TheVantasticLife]

Thanks for the comment Nancy!

[@steventhaw3765]

No need to add "mountains" to the Sierra Nevada, Spanish for "snowy range"!!!

[@TheVantasticLife]

Thanks for the comment Steven. We appreciate you! I actually don't think most people know that. I certainly didn't. Always better to over communicate in my experience. Thanks again for your time.

[@steventhaw3765]

The California Miwok named the Sierra "Kayopha the sky and the peaks that touch it". JOHN MUIR called it "The Range of Light" ! @@TheVantasticLife

[@steventhaw3765]

JOHN MUIR is the ultimate read!!!

[@user-gr3xv4ys3t]

Thanks for the cool vid! I may have missed it, but what were the dates of your hike? You had lots of weather extremes!

[@TheVantasticLife]

August 31-September 17! We sure did, made for quite the adventure 😊

[@cliftonselent4625]

How did you do your resupply? It seems so remote that getting supplies up to you wouldn't be easy.

[@TheVantasticLife]

Hey Clifton! Here's the link to the JMT resupply info from the Pacific Crest Trail Association: www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/john-muir-trail/jmt-resupply/ We did Red's, Muir Ranch, and Kearsarge (Steve's wife and son met us at the campground). Let us know if you have any other questions. Cheers!

[@user-vr8qf4nk7o]

Would love to know some of your recipes that you dehydrated

[@TheVantasticLife]

We did this black bean chicken chili which turned out really good! 2 cans black beans 3 cans diced tomatoes 1 can green chilies 2 cloves of garlic minced Salt to taste Pinch of red chili flakes 3-4 cups of cooked chicken, diced or chopped into pieces Cook in slow cooker on high for 6 hours, add cooked chicken after that time and cook on warm for 20 mins Then spread thin on dehydrator sheets and dehydrate for 6-8 hours. Turning/rotating trays as necessary. I also utilized the Clever Hiker website for instructions on dehydrating rice and other things!

[@TheVantasticLife]

I also made Tortilla Soup from the Pioneer Woman’s blog and dehydrated that about the same way. To get more carbs we vacuum sealed with a serving of rice!

[@rozbrooks8791]

How did you end up overpacking food? Did you calculate 3 meals per day but found that you just werent hungry enough to eat it all? I have a permit for the summer and am in the planning stages now. Thanks!

[@TheVantasticLife]

Hey Roz, Emily and I (Joe) did not overpack food. It was just Sue and Steve who packed about twice as much as they ended up eating in the form of meals. But, they might have underpacked sugary snacks that were essential for the hard climbs to feel good. It's always better to overpack then underpack food, and there are plenty of PCT'ers that will be happy to take food off your hands at the hikers drops. If you need any help figuring out your nutritional needs let me know. If you aren't already tracking what you eat now on an app like MyFitnessPal... I'd recommend getting started with that to find your baseline and figure out if you have any holes in your daily nutrition that need filling. Cheers!

[@truehealth4you539]

Did you write a blog post on the JMT talking about the prep (food, permits, etc) I couldn’t find it on your blog page..

[@TheVantasticLife]

It's still a draft. But you asking about it is motivation to get it done. Thanks for the push! We'll let you know when it's done.

[@truehealth4you539]

@@TheVantasticLife Lol, I understand, Look forward to reading it!

[@johndenning9644]

Where did you guys cross the San Joaquin? Up stream from the bridge site, or downstream? Thanks!

[@TheVantasticLife]

Hey John, we were downstream from the bridge. We basically just walked downstream from the bride until we found what looked like the safest place to cross. It was a little sketchy but we all made it without any issues. You probably know this, but morning will usually be a better time to cross.

[@johndenning9644]

Thank You So much!! I am thinking about heading in that way this year and knew that late season crossings were possible, but I didn't know where.. 👀👍 @@TheVantasticLife

[@TheVantasticLife]

Awesome! Have fun! @@johndenning9644

[@steventhaw3765]

You skipped the first section HAPPY ISLES TO TUOLUMNE MEADOWS!!!

[@TheVantasticLife]

Yup, we applied for both permits and got Lyell Canyon, happy to get any permit and go!

[@SugarShakerBaker]

What happened to the gentleman that hiked the majority of the trail with you?

[@TheVantasticLife]

Steve decided opt out of the adventure at our last resupply because his 50th wedding anniversary was the day after we were suppose to finish, and he was worried we'd miss our goal finish date. Steve's wife and son were the trail angels that brought our last resupply, so it was very convenient for him to leave the trail at that point and celebrate with his family. Steve was in great shape when he left the trail and would have liked to finish with us, but he had already done that last section of trail a few years back, so he was ok with walking out.

[@SugarShakerBaker]

Thanks so much for the reply! What a wonderful adventure! I’ve wanted to do this hike for the last 5 years! I’m gonna do it!!

[@TheVantasticLife]

@@SugarShakerBaker You should definitely do it! Reach out if you need help with any of the logistics.

[@stevengiroud4035]

Hey what happened to Steve he did the whole thing and at the end he was gone and you never mentioned him again like he was never there . Whats up

[@TheVantasticLife]

Steve decided opt out of the adventure at our last resupply because his 50th wedding anniversary was the day after we were suppose to finish, and he was worried we'd miss our goal finish date. Steve's wife and son were the trail angels that brought our last resupply, so it was very convenient for him to leave the trail at that point. Steve was in great shape when he left the trail and would have liked to finish with us, but he had already done that last section of trail a few years back, so he was ok with walking out.

[@stevengiroud4035]

@@TheVantasticLife thank you so very much for replying steve was an awesome part of your adventure. We were a little concerned. Happy adventures!!!!!!

[@TheVantasticLife]

@@stevengiroud4035 Steve has been an awesome part of many of our adventures! We met him a few years back rafting down the Grand Canyon, and have done a big adventure with him every year since. Thanks for the comments!

[@rogerrabbitog683]

U lift?

[@TheVantasticLife]

I'm sorry. Are you asking if we lift weights?

[@rogerrabbitog683]

@@TheVantasticLife correct. U look very fit!

[@TheVantasticLife]

Thank you! Yes, we lift weights. We have a set of 35, 50, and 70 dumbbells in the van and we run an online workout program called the Get Better Project, so we have to walk the talk. Cheers!

[@rogerrabbitog683]

@@TheVantasticLife nice! Keep it up!