After – Thenanskitchen

Thenanskitchen

We bumped into SherpaMax ( use him at all costs) when we hit the car park at the trails end.

Aside from being a wonderful guy he is cheap as chips. He gave us a ride straight to the hotel we stayed in, the Mt Williamson hotel. It was so hot our Crocs that we had left on the doorstep shrunk as we enjoyed modern plumbing.

We hit the local deli and Dad's six pack never tasted so good just like our cold slice of pizza. We had only been out for 3 weeks and yet the ordered lines of groceries and refrigerated produce was very pleasant to look at, almost like an art exhibit. Walking on a sidewalk was a novelty that was both exhilarating and saddening.

With each passing minute we were leaving the JMT behind...

And not just the physical trail, we all felt as if we leaving behind a time shared that we would never experience again. A slow sadness began to fall over us as we lay in a bed with clean sheets surrounded by the trappings of a comfortable urban existence.

A single main road lined by buildings and side roads were a sign of things to come, the huge expanse of sky seemed like our last lifeline to what we had only left the morning earlier.

The change was very profound.

So how did our trip impact us almost 12 months later...?

In many ways our family has changed from our JMT. And the effects are still showing themselves at unexpected times and places. As a family we are certainly closer, that change is hard to quantify for sure. But we all certainly have a deeper respect for each other as human beings, but more importantly as a family unit. BigSis and LilSis will never have any more sisters, and Mum and Dad will never have anymore daughters. And we wouldn't change this for the world.

(The terrible forest fires in 2018 prevented BigSis and Dad from returning and completing our JMT)

When BigSis took control after our terrible Day 14 crossing Muir Pass, it was a watershed moment for Mum and Dad. That day could have easily been an absolute disaster. Emotionally we were all spent, the day was fading fast and all our boots were soaked from the ice cold water (the only time we never took our boots off when we should have). LilSis was tired and upset, Mum was shook by the snow bridges and washed out trail.

Crossing the final ice cold stream up to our waists was tough at the end of the day. Dad carrying both packs and helping Mum get across, where LilSis was waiting took a toll. Waiting on the other side of the river, BigSis simply asked for the tent and said she would go on to find a spot. Dad agreed with reservations, but had little choice as the light was fading. BigSis took the tent and visibly upset LilSis, and started down the trail.

There was a tiny spot of flat ground approx 15ft square and BigSis asked someone who had set up their single person pup tent if we could squeeze in.

BigSis shone whilst all others were fading.

BigSis and LilSis pitched the tent as they did every day whilst I got the water and dinner ready. Mum leapt in when it was semi pitched and began to make a home, which she did every night. Mum felt safe and secure inside 5mm of nylon.

A spectacular sunset was a very fitting ending to BigSis's heroics that day, Day 12.

(Written by Dad. So proud of BigSis, even those sock tan lines !!!)

It would be a great injustice if LilSis's exploits weren't applauded.

Only the once did she whinge, and this is brought up if nothing else but to put the rest of her JMT into perspective. As a regular 7 year old LilSis absolutely took her time in the backcountry in her stride. For every 10 miles we hiked, she added another 2 miles by taking detours and general exploring. A handful of times she ruefully smiled when hearing we had steep switchbacks to conquer, or when her favorite snack bars had run out.

We have never seen her so content and happy. What a wonderful adventure she was having, and LilSis always chattered. Constantly chatting, about what ? We can't remember what we chatted about or when we had a minute's peace.

In The City we share a small bedroom so we have to get along. 'Have to' being the descriptive. Since the JMT we have grown very close, obviously we have their ups and downs. But being together on the JMT in close proximity and with each other most of the time well, we are like a little couple now who communicate at a shared level.

Whatever the reason is, our relationship is certainly different after the JMT. We dug kitty holes together, we shared lunch and dinner together, we made and broke the tent together, we hiked together virtually the entire JMT.

BigSis would hike the JMT again in a heartbeat.....LilSis would pass on that one !

Time will tell if we stay as close...

Mum and Dad....

They certainly had their moments of glorious unabated happiness and wonder, along with many times of despair and worry.

Mum would never do it again, whereas Dad would very happily. That's not to say that Mum didn't enjoy it, simply that it isn't something that she would choose to do again.

Camp and hike in the backcountry again ? Yes. But with a basecamp and embark on day hikes in the surrounding area.

They never argued and enjoyed every single second they had together disconnected from the outside world.