[pct-l] JMT Yo-Yo & Karen's Hero

[Reinhold Metzger]

Switchback,
GET BETTER SOON...the "Newbies" need crusty "Old Timers" like you to
show them the way.

OK guys,...wish Switchback a speedy recovery.

I had my share of hiking and skiing injuries..reconstructive shoulder
surgery on my left shoulder from a high speed skiing crash, surgery
on my right shoulder also from a high speed skiing crash, ruptured
disk from a bad fall in the Grand Canyon, surgery on my right knee,
probably the result of to many miles with a heavy pack....4 years in
the USMC Infantry, where backpacking is a way of life, not a hobby,
as a Bazooka Gunner hauling ungodly heavy packs with heavy weapons
and extra ammo strapped on our packs and 30 yrs of hiking with Karen
(my wife) and the Scouts as a "High Adventure Leader" hauling a 55 to
65 lb pack to make the packs of the scouts & my wife lighter.

I remember my first Whitney hike in 1968..I was a recently discharged
USMC Grunt (Infantry) used to hauling heavy loads and it went against
my grain to burden my recent bride with a pack, so everything went
into "ONE" monster pack on my back.
I also had to carry "Shatzy" our miniature Dachshund most of the way.
But, with Karen "coooooing" into my ear "REINHOLD,...YOU ARE MY HERO"
made it all worth it...that is all I ever wanted to be "KAREN'S HERO".
Of course, I was Shatzy's Hero also.

I also remember my first JMT "Thru-Hike" with the Scouts in 1996
hauling an 85 lb pack.

However, a few years later, on my Solo Unsupported JMT" speed hikes I
was UL to the extreme...the pack with all the gear,...tent, sleeping
bag, cold weather gear, rain gear, first aide kit, emergency kit, water
purification, map & compass and yes,..Potty Trowel, whistle, etc., all
the food for the "Thru-Hike" and 2 liters water, weight only 22 lb.

As you can see, I hike on both sides of the fence...."Heavy Trucker"
with my wife and the Scouts...."UL" on my solo speed hikes.

So, as you can see Switchback, I also had my share of injuries.
But we old timers, we can take a licking and just keep on ticking.
They don't make'm like us anymore...they just don't make'm out of the
same metal anymore.

As far as you doing a 4 day JMT Yo-Yo?...Unless you got some super
knee replacements, I would not recommend it Switchback.
Now, if you can convince Mrs. Switchback to carry your pack for you,
a 4 day JMT Yo-Yo might be possible.

Again, get well soon Switchback, the "List" and the "Thru-Hiking"
community needs crusty "Old Timers" like you.

BTW Switchback...my time for the JMT was 5 days 10 hrs in 2003 and
5 days 7 hrs in 2004,...not just over 4 days.
But that was when I was still a young 62 & 63...I don't know if I
could still do that now at 75.

JMT Reinhold
Karen's & Shatzy's Hero
............................

Switchback wrote:
After my double knee replacement a few months ago, I plan to be back on
the trail.
I am walking a half mile every day on a dirt trail near my house and then
to the indoor pool.
Snow Bunny did the 211 mile JMT in just over 4-days, when he was younger.
I will easily break that old record, when I get back out there.
In fact, I think I will yo-yo the JMT in 4-days just to make it interesting.
No problem.

  



---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus