In the early morning the light is golden, and the critters are up and around.
One of the John Muir Trail resources that I follow, religiously, is the JMT Yahoo Group. The breadth and depth of knowledge available there is really quite remarkable.
A month or so before my last John Muir Trail thru-hike, one of the group’s moderators (who hikes solo) mentioned that he rose early most mornings and walked for an hour or two before breakfast. He listed several reasons: it meant more hiking in cool weather, more frequent wildlife sightings, and was generally a great way to start the day.
A few days into my hike (mostly because of the weight I was carrying and its effect on my pace) it became clear that if I was going to meet my daily mileage goals, I was going to need to find a couple of extra hours to hike. I’ve always been an early riser, so I thought, “Why not try the early morning thing?”
I loved it!
In fact, I loved it so much that during the second half of the hike I was usually on the trail by 4:30 a.m., which meant that typically I would hike about ninety minutes in the dark.
Hiking in the dark is really pretty neat. In fact, I can think of only one disadvantage: you can’t see the scenery. Here’s how my mornings would work.
I’d rise about 4:00 a.m. That might sound needlessly tortuous, but remember this: due to the way the land cools through heat radiation, it’s normally warmer at 4:00 a.m. than it is at 6:00 a.m. (Unless there is something unusual happening weather-wise, it’s coldest about an hour after sunrise.) I found it much easier to climb out of the sleeping bag.
I’d also prepare myself the night before so that I could make a quick getaway. I’d have sufficient water to get to the next planned water source. My stove, rain gear, spare clothes, etc., would be packed. On more than half the nights, even my tent would stay in my backpack.
Once up and dressed, I could be on the trail in about twenty minutes.
On moonless nights I used a headlamp so that I could see where I was going. If the moon was up, and if it was obvious where the trail was, I left the light off. Each night I would also try to position myself so that I began the day with a climb. Ascending early meant I had fresh legs, cool temperatures, and, psychologically, it was easier to climb in the dark (because you could only see a few yards ahead). On days that I went over passes rising early really helped me get off the highest ground before noon (and avoid afternoon thunderstorms).
Eventually, even on moonless nights, my headlamp would become unnecessary. About forty-five minutes after I turned it off the sun would rise, and I would start looking for a place for breakfast.
This isn’t a great solution for everyone, especially if you are the type who likes to lounge around the campsite and get a later start, but it’s worth a try. If you are hiking in August or September, look for the constellation Orion. On most mornings it was right in front of me as I moved southbound.
Good hiking, Ray
Ray,
I am definitely NOT an early riser. Here in Hawaii, everyone seems to get up way earlier than my body wants to, and I struggle to become awake by the time I get to work in the morning. (I’ve actually cultivated quite the autonomic function of getting up, getting ready, and going to work while half asleep–even stopping at Starbucks on the way.) But your description of the early morning hiking experience makes me want to do it! Only problem will be getting my body to follow my mind. Then again, I have often experienced a natural body clock that wakes me up just when I need to on days of extreme anticipation (important work day, interview, travel). So if I can psych myself into thinking that I MUST be up by 4:30 or so (sorry, 4AM is just toooo early!), maybe it will work. I’ll have to test that theory out. Thanks, once again, for inspiring me to do something fun, something interesting, something different.
It’s not for everyone, Bob. You are sure right about Hawaii and waking up early! I think a lot of it has to do with all the government jobs on Oahu and the attempt to avoid traffic. Thanks for the kind words regarding the blog.
Interesting idea. I could do it; I love getting up early, but I’d be getting a serious head start on my husband, who sleeps most of the morning if he can!
Do you have a particular headlamp that works well for the early morning hikes? I’m in the market for a lighter weight one, so wondering what is effective for hiking in darkness.
That scoundrel! 🙂
Good news and bad news on the headlamp. I have one I love (Doug Ritter eQ Hands-Free Multilight), mostly because it is really light and the battery seems to last forever. Unfortunately, I think they are no longer sold. Thanks for the comment, Karen.
Go this Sept – Oct possibilities?
Are there suggestions on any possible way for 2 to complete the entire JMT (permits and all) this Sept 15 – Oct 15 at the latest???
Not sure what you mean, Richard, in regards to suggestions. For more on permits you might want to look at this: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/jmtfaq.htm
I just got done yesterday with a 9 day section hike from Red’s Meadow – Keasarge Pass. The thunderstorms have been torturously all night, in the afternoons (later than the normal 1:30pms), and again at 7:30pm. If we hadn’t gotten up early, we never could have cleared a pass per day. Appreciated the cool weather & beautiful pics w/ plentiful clouds!
Thanks for the comment, Heather. Glad you are home safe. I’m hoping that by the time I start my hike in September the thunderstorms have become a little less frequent.
[…] I’ve written about my preference for early starts before. I like getting up before the coldest part of the day (which, all things being equal, […]