"In Judaism, the number 18 is symbolic of LIFE ! It is significant and symbolic that you are embarking on your trek on the 18th as your life takes new meaning, one step at a time, one thought at a time .... with many friends patting you on the back via cyberspace the entire time!"
- an email from a friend on the eve of my departure
Today dawned early, 5:55 AM to be exact. Even with all the preparations I still found myself scrambling and we did not leave for the trailhead until 9:35. Once in the car, calm, watching the woods speed by through the window, I finally had a few minutes for reflection.
I have been thinking about doing something like the JMT for years, but never thought I would actually get the chance, nor truthfully, did I think I would have that much courage to tackle something this epic. As the car twisted and turned along the curvy mountain road, once again I was quietly amazed that the day had finally come.
Arriving at Sunrise Trailhead the day was absolutely perfect, sunny with just a hint of a few clouds, temperature in the upper 70's. I quickly, but deliberately did my stretching to warm up, then Anne actually took a video of me preparing my pack, plus a plethora of photos. We paused as I told them I wanted to say a short prayer, so the three of us stood quietly under the trees in the parking lot as I gave thanks for so many things...having this opportunity, for friends, present and far away, who helped me in so many ways by encouraging and supporting my dream. Naysayers could have prevailed, but there were none. I then asked for the wisdom to make good decisions, and to be open to what God and the Sierra will show me in the coming days.
Formalities out of the way, one last picture, I turned on my satellite tracker and off I went down the trail. It was very quiet as I hiked alone in woods, and as I turned a corner and prepared to cross a dry creek bed I looked up and was staring straight into the eyes of a doe deer not fifteen feet in front of me straddling the trail. As we stared at each other it was quickly evident that she was not afraid, in fact she kept looking me directly in the eye as if to say "welcome to my home, my world, which is now yours too." I finally spoke, quietly saying "thank you for the welcome as I start my adventure, you were good to welcome me." If a deer could smile I think she would have, for then she simply stepped aside a few feet and I passed by her as she walked down into the creek bed, her task complete, it was time to move on.
I have backpacked and hiked hundreds, if not thousands of miles, and I have never had an encounter with a wild animal like that one. An omen? I could not help but think it was indeed a foreshadowing of good things to come, time will tell.
My silent conversation with an inhabitant of the woods complete I began to climb and climb in the heat of the afternoon. And then I started meeting people, which is usually one of the great things about the trail.
But my first encounter was not particularly good. I met a couple in a hurry, they were headed to Clouds Rest and then asked if I knew anything about Mt Whitney, they wanted to climb that too this week. When I determined they had no permit I broke the news that would not be possible, although the guy seemed determined and was saying he would just do it anyway. I hope he tries and gets a big fine and a lecture!
The next couple were older and we chatted for a minute, they too being on the way to Clouds Rest summit. But then they asked if I was a minister, which was a bit different! They explained they wanted to get married in the future and wanted to do the deed on Clouds Rest summit, but were having some trouble finding an ordained minister willing to make the journey to the summit - imagine that. When I told them "no" I could not help them with that, they asked where I was headed with my big pack. I explained my trek, adding the part about WildLink, and he asked how much I would like them to donate? I was a bit taken aback, and when I said that any amount would be great he pressed me for a specific number. Explaining that any donation would be wonderful, he pressed, asking what people typically gave. I told him the range, but he was still looking at me saying "name a number." So I suggested $100, to which he replied, "done" as he put my card in his pocket. I think her name was Stephanie, but I did not catch his, but as I continued on up the trail I somehow felt that they would indeed contribute, and I had the crazy thought that I might attend their wedding.
I met a number of other people, a group of teenagers on some kind of a guided trek, a couple of older women hiking up to Sunrise Camp to spend the evening in relative luxury with a bed, a shower and freshly prepared food, and many others.
When I was about half through my miles for the day I reached the junction for Sunrise Camp where I will spend the night. One of the people I met suggested dropping my pack and hiking up off the trail about 100 yards, for she claimed the view down the Tenaya Valley was spectacular. I did as she suggested and it was amazing - I could see all the way to the back of Half Dome, Clouds Rest summit rising in the foreground on the left. I took some pictures, rested my feet, ate a little snack and realized this was why I came on this journey. To sit alone in the woods on top of a mountain gazing out at one of the most spectacular Yosemite landmarks from a completely different angle was wonderful. But it was also a metaphor for this trek, for I hope to see new things, but also to see the familiar from a different angle, to experience life in a new way.
Which made me think of my friend's email of yesterday, the significance of starting on the 18th, and the symbolism of new life, new perspectives. As I end the day sitting in the trees, reflecting on my first day on the trail, I cannot help but think I am on the right path, literally and figuratively.
© 2015 James McGregor Gibson