The day I hiked to Rosemarie Meadow was not a particularly strenuous one. It was day eight, so I had already gotten my trail legs. True, I camped the night before near Mono Creek, which meant I had the infamous fifty-two switchbacks, up Bear Ridge, to ascend, but I knocked those off early in the morning while the trail was in the shade. I felt strong all the way up.
Not long after I got to the top of the ridge the terrain actually started to descend. When I began to parallel Bear Creek the trail began another ascent, but a gentle one. There was no good reason for me fail to get to my planned camping spot, a couple of miles past Rosemarie Meadow.
But, when I trudged into the meadow at around 4:00 p.m., I was totally spent. I knew I needed to stop.
As I began to set up camp my head pounded and I was nauseated. I was weak, lethargic and—for the first time on the trail—was not entirely sure I could finish the hike.
The idea of abandoning the thru-hike was devastating, which made me feel even worse. Somehow, I had gotten into a vicious circle, spiraling down to place I did NOT want to go.
I crawled into the sleeping bag well before sunset, and then, inexplicably, awoke about two hours later feeling great! What a miracle.
Except that it wasn’t at all inexplicable or miraculous. I knew exactly what had happened.
On the switchbacks, that morning, I had encountered a couple of rabbits—and I don’t mean the kind with big, floppy ears. These two young women looked to be in their early twenties, and they were heading the same direction I was, fast.
On the way up, we kept passing each other. First, they sped by me. Then, just a few minutes later, I passed them as they took a break on the side of the trail. Later, break over, they zipped by again. Then, apparently one of them decided to re-pack her backpack, because I passed them, again.
Here they came a third time, striding past with a friendly, “Hello, again.” Finally, I passed them for the last time as they took a third break, this time sharing what looked like some tasty cheese and crackers.
At that point, I was determined to get to the top of the ridge before they passed me again, and I did. In fact, I never saw them again on the trail. Either they passed while I had stepped off the trail for a moment and I hadn’t noticed, or they went elsewhere.
Psychology on the trail can be funny; why did I suddenly need to stay ahead of them? I have no idea, but by deciding, early, that I was going to step out fast and make time I somehow “programmed” myself for the rest of the day. I skipped breaks, didn’t eat much at lunch, and decided to wait for a couple of hours in the afternoon to refill my water when I ran out. All of those proved to be very bad ideas.
The source of the miraculous recovery, later that evening, was simply the water I drank and the food I ate before going to sleep. It just took my body a couple of hours to absorb the nutrients and liquid.
I learned a lesson that day: while hiking the John Muir Trail your body is an engine, and you have to keep it fueled and lubricated, even if you aren’t particularly hungry or thirsty.
Good hiking, Ray
This is particularly important when ascending to new heights where altitude sickness can be an issue. Glad you got out of the place you didn’t want to go!
Great comment, Ryan. Thanks!
Wow what timing! I just got off the phone with my doctor less than 5 minutes ago as he called to discuss my diamox prescription. He said eating and drinking is one of the best ways to avoid altitude sickness! I realize Gatorade powder is lil heavy but plan to use it throughout my hike starting sept 10. I believe if it taste good I will be more apt to eat or drink it! Some of the best I have got from others is bring what you like and enjoy eating! Fly out 3 weeks from tomorrow. Mailing my mtr bucket out tomorrow as well!
Anything that will help you stay hydrated is a good thing. Good luck, Richard!
I needed a reminder on this. I’ll be backpacking to Whitney via New Army Pass starting on Saturday, and I have the tendency to do the same thing. Thanks for the excellent post and timely reminder!
Thanks for the kind words, Kathy. Enjoy the hike!
How true. Have to pay attention to the ol’ engine and try not to bonk.
Good advice, Ray!
Thanks, Mike.
I have definitely seen a decline in mental attitude if I do not drink or eat regularly when I hike. I notice it as wandering thoughts toward the negative: more attention to the steepness, heat, weight, etc. It immediately improves when I hydrate and eat about 100 calories. The routine that works for me is:
Drink 250 ml water every 30 minutes
Eat 100 calories every hour
Drink 250 ml gatorade every hour instead of water
Take an 1.5 hour lunch
Take a 15 minute pack off break two hours after lunch
Take another 20 minute pack off coffee break two hours before I reach camp
Eat half a protein bar at arrival in camp
Drink a liter of water in camp before bed
Ray, my wife and I will be on the trail starting August 27 out of Tuolomne meadows. Might see you on one of the passes…
Thanks for the comment, Paul. I expect to be on Mather, Pinchot, Glenn and Forester on September 14, 15, 16 & 17.
I feel as it is a race to beat every person to get to the top of the pass first, a physiological thing I can’t get over that just makes me feel as a better hiker, and the other group of people are just 10-15 min behind me feeling just fine.
This year I intend to go slow and enjoy the journey. Thanks for the comment!
I made the mistake of skipping dinner a couple of times. Once I got into camp late and, because the next day was a zero day I thought it wouldn’t matter – but I was exhausted throughout my zero day.
The second time I skipped dinner it was raining and hailing and seemed like too much trouble to boil water. The next morning I decided to exit, returning from mile 150 below Mather Pass to Bishop Pass Trail rather than risk not being strong enough to reach my re-supply at Charlotte Lake Trail junction three days later. Now I wonder – if I had eaten dinner the night before, would I have felt stronger and more confident that I could reach Charlotte?
Great points, all, Sharon. We have to stay fueled. Thanks for the comment!