🗓 August 7th, 2024 – September 15th, 2024
Kim Hikes the
Starting August 7th, Kim is going to be hiking the John Muir trail near Mount Whitney to Yosemite National Park – an estimated 211 miles.
01 – About the Hike
211 Miles from Mount Whitney to Yosemite Valley
02 – Climb Progress
Where is Kim Now?
August 12th, 2024 @ 10:40am PT
Nearing Pinchot Pass. 1.1 miles; will take 1 hour; all uphill. It’s a long one.
August 15th, 2024 @ 5:30pm PT
Finished Forrester, Glen, Pinchot, Mathur and Muir Passes. They are the highest and hardest on the JMT. First resupply in 2 days near a hot spring. Beautiful.
August 22nd, 2024 @ 8:18pm PT
At mile marker 137 out of 211. It’s cold tonight; 31 degrees. Wearing everything to keep warm. May reach Reds Meadow tomorrow for resupply.
Views are unreal.
August 25th, 2024 @ 8:51pm PT
At mile 173. We’ll resupply in Tuolumne tomorrow, but we’ve been hiking 10-14 miles/day so we could be done in 3 days. Taking lots of pics.
August 27th, 2024 @ 6:52am PT
16.9 miles to go. Probably one more night out and we’ll be done. Can’t wait to share the pics.
03 – JMT Fundraiser
Donate $1 for Every Mile
We are asking you to donate $1 for every mile Kim hikes to the Skin Cancer Foundation (or whatever amount you can donate.) All pledges will be matched with a donation from Syndication Attorneys of up to $4,000. Together we could raise $8,000 or more for this important cause.
Kim and one of her long-term staff members recently had their own experiences with skin cancer. They have a two-fold mission:
- To spread the word to our followers and everyone they know about the importance of getting screened for skin cancer.
- To make a significant cash donation to The Skin Cancer Foundation (SkinCancer.org).
Skin cancer is the world’s most common cancer. Every day, more than 9,500 people are diagnosed with this awful disease and every hour, two people die.
We hope you will help us in the fight against skin cancer. If you’d like to spread the word to your followers, click the “Join Team” button to get your own link to share with your audience.
About The Skin Cancer Foundation
Established in 1979, The Skin Cancer Foundation saves and improves lives by empowering people to take a proactive approach to daily sun protection and the early detection and treatment of skin cancer. Their goal is to decrease the incidence of skin cancer through public and professional education and research. 75% of their fundraising dollars go directly to support lifesaving programs. With additional in-kind donations, they’re able to allocate 92% of their resources to educational initiatives.
04 – Poetry
By Kim Lisa Taylor
JMT Fears and Dreams
The trail is close at hand, but sleep is elusive as it nears; training is progressing along with ever-increasing fears.
What was I thinking? Can I accomplish this major feat? Am I capable of hiking among the world’s most epic peaks?
Food and gear are strewn all over, cluttering my house and mind. I need to finish packing, but I can’t seem to find the time.
Work is all-consuming while I finish tying up loose ends. And I must get the house ready for our pet sitters and friends.
Will it start to happen; will I get everything done in time? Once I get it all together, will I find some peace of mind?
Will it all be worth it? Will I achieve all the goals I seek? Will I make it to the end after hiking for 3-½ weeks?
Will I love it or just hate it? Will I crave even more? I know that I can do this; I strongly feel it in my core.
My mind says that I’m crazy, but I’m listening to my heart; it’s just one foot in front of the other once we make our start.
These are fears we all must have when planning a new endeavor. But the plans we make today can change our future lives forever.
Don’t give up; we’ve got this. We can all accomplish any dream; all it takes is perseverance and assembling the right team.
– Kim Lisa Taylor (July 2024)
On the Trail
The Sierra peaks are high, the valleys are low, the mountains are calling, and I must go.
The range consists of granite domes, cliffs, spires, and volcanic cones.
The temperature is ever-changing, from balmy to harsh, while trail conditions range from rocky to marsh.
The winds can quickly change from light breezes to gales while I hike over passes and through pretty dales.
As I pick my way upward through boulders and rocks, I often find myself wondering if I’ll ever make it to the top.
The mountain views inspire jaw-dropping wonder, with some fear thrown in from daily lightning and thunder.
The passes are steep, and stream crossings scary, but the beauty of it all is what keeps me merry.
Ground squirrels chatter, marmots lounge, birds sing and whistle, bears wander and scrounge.
Some hikers are nice; others are odd, but we all share the trail with each other and God.
My pack at times is both heavy and light, depending on my mood and whether it’s daytime or night.
My tent is cozy, my sleeping quilt warm, my sleep pad is soft, and my chair fits my form.
With aching bones and feet I crawl into my cave, for a healing break from the march of the day.
The nights can be long and lonely at times, with just the stars for company until sunrise.
While I may be missing some comforts of home, I revel in the solitude of walking alone.
No cell phones are ringing, no email to read, my thoughts are my own; it’s just the break that I need.
I’ll be forever changed on completing this trail, for it’s the epitome of hikes, to which all others pale.
What will I do next? What’s left to see? There are plenty more of Earth’s wonders just waiting for me…
– Kim Lisa Taylor (August 2024)
05 – Kim’s Book
It’s All Downhill from Here
Join Kim on an unforgettable adventure as she chronicles her journey along the legendary John Muir Trail in her upcoming book, It’s All Downhill From Here. From awe-inspiring landscapes to profound personal moments, this book captures the true essence of this epic trail like never before. Sign up now to be the first to know when the book is released and join her on this incredible journey!