What Does It Mean?

To quote an unofficial mascot of the trek (Double Rainbow Guy) “What does it mean?” Tomorrow, I drive from Tahoe to Vermilion Valley Resort with Evan to meet up with Annette as she completes the third segment of the trek from Devil’s Post Pile.
It is too soon, perhaps, to assign lofty meaning. Still as I head off for my fourth encounter with the Trek in progress, I can only tell you that Annette and her fellow trekers are thriving and that great things are transpiring.
Devil’s Post Pile was home to family camp, as three plus families gathered to welcome Annette and help launch the third segment with Audrey (from Canada) and Kara (from Cool, CA). The Schwartz family, the Paccini Family (sp?) and the De Bow Lancet family set up camp joined by the intrepid hikers for the 3rd segment Kara and Audrey.
But as Saturday progressed our encampment enlarged with the Stowe family and Ronit’s parents, Roni and Joanne. There was a lot of talk, lots of love and support and lots of great food and hikes to Rainbow Falls and Devil’s Post Pile. The trekers strategized on food to pack in and how they could lighten their loads.
Annette spoke so enthusiastically of her experience of being on the trail. The many souls hiking the John Muir Trail make up their own culture and it was a little difficult to step out of that culture even into the loving arms and hearts of family camp. As departure day and time approached Annette seems to me like the house in the movie UP. She has so many helium balloons attached and she really wants to take off and fly up the JMT.
Well I go on too long and have failed to convey how right this hike seems to be for all involved. Hopefully these pics add some to this accounting.
If you want to check out the ecstasy of the double rainbow man, much discussed around the campfires here is the link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQSNhk5ICTI

May you all find your own personal double rainbow.

Gambaro

Marc

Segment 2 Tales-How we got from Tuolumne to Devil's Postpile...

Hello Trekophiles!!
I have returned from the backwoods adventure of Segment 2! Beautiful sweeping vistas, lovely fields of wildflowers, crystalline streams and azure lakes, very friendly fellow hikers (unfriendly mosquitoes), loyal trailmates....and yes, a hotel room.

I will just get to the meat of the story: I got terrible altitude sickness near, not AT, the top of Donahue Pass, and we had to come back down. I was so disappointed in myself, and guilty that much of segment 2 had to be bypassed on my account, but Annette and Arielle took such fabulous care of me and were so gracious about the change in the plan.

As I approached 10,000 feet on our second day of hiking, I began to get very tired and nauseated, but wanted terribly to forge on up, barfing and all! I couldn't keep even water in me, so Annette & Arielle began taking on gear from my pack, and then, my whole pack!

Meanwhile, Arielle's boot sole came loose and a duck tape repair was needed, but she was not even fazed!

When a strapping young Thru-Hiker named Barry saw Annette carrying my pack on her frontside, he very sweetly offered to take my pack to the top, so I would only need to carry it for the descent....Wellll, moments after he bounded off, the final decision was made in favor of my health, and we returned downward from whence we came. That is how my Pack had its own private adventure and spent the night at the summit without us.














Next morning, bright and early, as I recuperated and hydrated back at camp, Annette & Arielle bravely set out to retrieve my pack. So, they "re-hiked" up and back down after finding my pack(Packie was enjoying the view from the summit), and all the way back into Tuolumne Meadows in one day!!


Due to a fast pace and determination, we made it in time to catch the shuttle to Mammoth, where we got ourselves a hotel room, a hot shower, laundry facilities and some mediocre food.

Next morning, following the intensive daily regimen of foot care, we headed down, via another shuttle bus, into the lovely area surrounding Devil's Postpile to meet our group.

Despite everything, good times with good friends could not be avoided!! We had a blast...

So that is the story in a big nutshell.



Now I must research how to avoid acute mountain sickness, so I will be ready for the Food Drop at Dusy Basin next week!!

Tah for now~~~di

Oh these photos of the beginning of the segment we were meant to be on are breaking my heart. Long story short my Grandma's death was so imminent as our departure day loomed, that I had to forgo the trek in order to make it to her funeral. It was one of the more difficult choices I can ever remember having to make. Once Doug and I arrived at the gravesite in Philadelphia along with all four of Grandma's sons (and five of their ex-wives), all twelve of her grandchildren, and a few of her thirteen great grandchildren, it was clear I was where I needed to be. But not without a cost. And now, to my dismay, Net, Dianne, and Ariel look unfazed and entirely prepared to carry on without us. Fine then...

To top it all off, yesterday as soon as our plane touched back down at SFO the "Check-in/OK Message" from Net's tracking device dropped into my cell phone. Like salt in my wound. Wish you were here indeed:

Click the link below to see where I am located.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=37.63185,-119.08566&ll=37.63185,-119.08566&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
Message:I am great and loving every step. Wish you were here.
Net

All for One and One for All

More pics from Tuolumne Meadows base camp as the second segment prepares to launch:
1) The trekers run empirical studies to learn if three women can share a two man tent.

2) Dianne remains the most exuberant of trekers.

3) Foot care is the foundation of a trekers strength.

4) As they prepare to depart the segment 2 trekers Annette, Dianne and Ariel affirm the principle of All for One and One for All.

Trek for a Cure Part 2 -- The news from base camp

The Trekers are on the move. Here are some photos from base camp in Tuolomne Meadows as
1) the first segment trekers, Annette, Ariel, Ashlyn, Kepa and Doug stroll into camp. .Evan greets her Mommy3) Evan gets into the spirit of camping.

4)Evan learns that Nature is Boss!

They are off!!! The Trek has begun!!!

The trek began at 10:30 am today with Annette, Ariel, Ashlyn, Kepa, and Doug heading up the Mist Trail past Vernal Falls and into some dramatic thunder heads. The temp in the Valley was predicted to reach 98 degs.

Pictures from the top. 1) Hikers demonstrate the Trek for A Cure panache. 2) The first segment crew plus a last hug from Evan for Mama Annette. 3) Some last guiding thoughts. 4) And their off. 5) and Hiking!

Gambaro

Marc

I'm a blogger too!

Woo Hoo~The Trek has commenced!

Net has also enlisted me as a blogger-along-the-way. I will be heading out with Segment 2 on Sunday, 7/18, with my camera at the ready!

I am another one of Net's Novice Packer Pals, and I'm gettin' a bit nervous because I'm not in tiptop shape, but as Marc said, "Condition Schmondition!" And with Annette as Trek mentor and pacesetter, I will be inspired to trudge merrily along!

So, I'll give everybody a peek into the Segment 2 Trek Adventures when I come back next week. Tah tah for now~~~Happy Hiking to all the Trekkers

Dianne

Hello to Trekers and Friends of the Trek:

http://videos.sacbee.com/vmix_hosted_apps/p/media?id=16105776&item_index=&genre_id=00000291

Just wanted to add this link to the blog. Click here to see the Trek for a Cure video and related article by Jacqueline Baylon for the Sacramento Bee. If you have trouble with the link just google: sacbee Trek For A Cure and it will take you right to the video. 36 hours until the expedition gets under way!

Gambaro

Marc

Only for Net

I've never blogged before, not even close. I don't even Facebook. That makes this the second of at least three kinda big things I'd most likely never have done in my life but for Annette. The first was jumping out of an airplane on her 30th birthday (with a disturbingly lecherous "instructor" strapped tightly onto my back, but that's another story). Then this public blogging thing. (Sounds alarmingly like public flogging!) Soon to be followed by the actual extended backpacking/wilderness activity. Brand new to me. Oh, and the packing light - I think personally that should maybe count as a whole separate and adventurous new undertaking in itself. That would make four things... only for Net.

So this is my practice run because Annette's asked me to keep the blogosphere posted on her whereabouts along the trail (except for the six days that I am with her!) via the SPOT tracking system; some sort of GPS device which will send me messages of her exact latitude and longitude as she progresses. More on that when Mark teaches me a little something about it so I have a clue. Right Mark? Meanwhile we can't decide if this makes Annette seem more like tagged wildlife or an ankle-braceleted parolee, but either way if I am mapping along and see her veering off towards some remote but convenient Nordstrom or Starbucks location, I think I am able to administer a mild electric shock that should help to set her quickly back on her righteous and intended path. So I feel pretty important.

Looking forward, sending love, Nina.