Reunion on the Trail

Hiking solo can be very rewarding. It can also be extremely challenging. If there is one thing I have learned about myself as a hiker, it is that I do not prefer to hike alone. I enjoy the company of others and making memories we can look back on in years to come. This year, I was planning on doing some of the JMT solo and then meeting up with Donny and some friends after about 8 days on the trail alone. I was ok with that because those 8 days were just covering the same section that I hiked last year. No biggie. 

To say that I am excited about a recent turn of events would be a huge understatement. I am ECSTATIC to announce that my dear friend, Sara, will be joining me on the trail for 6 of those solo days!!!!

Sara and I go back several years. We met in San Diego through a friend that neither of us talk to anymore. Over the years, we got to know each other and last year we became pretty close. We hiked together whenever we could, to include an overnight on the PCT.  We went on a small road trip together, went shopping, went to a Padres game. You know... All those things that good friends do with each other. When I was preparing to move to Pennsylvania, she was getting ready to move to Norway. Our time as hang out buddies quickly came to an end. We kept in touch over Facebook until I deleted my personal profile. I missed my friend, but I was excited for all of the adventures she was having in Norway. In my planning for the JMT, I often wished that Sara was here to do it with me. We had once spoke about that last year. 

To my surprise, Sara returned to the States and right away we made plans for her to meet me at Tuolomne Meadows and hike to Red's Meadow with me. I was excited to do the JMT, and this just adds to that excitement. I am looking forward to our time together on the trail and catching up on the past year. 

(Sara and I at a Padres game in San Diego last spring.)