The Ascent Journal

A comprehensive breakdown of the good, the bad, and the unexpected on my 14 day JMT thru-hike. "Day 12: Lots of chatter about how not to get kicked off the trail at Thousand Island Lakes" Like all challenging things that people do outdoors, hiking the John Muir Trail did not go exactly as we planned. That’s part of the adventure though. This fifth and final installment of the John Muir Trail Series is the story of our trip is what really happened while we were out there, some

A deep dive into what items I took on my 14 day JMT thru-hike, and why those items made the list over all other options. Choosing backpacking gear is a big undertaking influenced by weight, volume, budgeting, individual goals, and individual style preferences. It is a topic in itself, which is why this article is dedicated completely to discussing the items and decision-making for our 14-day JMT attempt. In addition to the lifelong outdoor recreation experience Shae and I had

Everything you should know about fueling yourself to support your hiking goals Meal planning is a crucial aspect of any backpacking trip....

Navigating the JMT Permit system, setting daily mileage goals, and selecting resupply destinations In the second chapter of the John Muir...

The first in the five-part JMT Series. What to expect from the JMT and the endurance training required. The John Muir Trail is a 220 mile...