MissionManna.org has been following John Kelleher's progress as he hikes northward through California on a 2,627-mile trail from Mexico to Canada. On Aug. 9, Kelleher had hiked 1,700 miles and had only 500 or so to go. Below are excerpts from several posts tracking his progress. Each post has photos, and the Aug. 10 entry includes an audio clip.
Aug. 10 post:
Hello all! This is Laura. I spoke with John yesterday, and he is fired up and ready to push through Oregon! He is hiking 25-30 miles a day and thinks he will make it to Washington in about 3 weeks. His body feels good, except for some shin splints.
Help us Reach 100 Sponsors We have 70 sponsors so far! If you can help us get to our goal of 100 sponsors by forwarding this info to your friends and family, that’d be great! Click here to participate.
May 31: 700 miles into the journey
John has nearly reached his goal of 700 miles and is getting ready to hit the High Sierras tomorrow. Apparently they are about to get record snowfall for May/June. He is in a fair amount of pain, but its tolerable. He will be out of touch for the next 3-4 weeks. Let’s all hold him in our thoughts as he traverses this unfriendly terrain.
July 12:
The snow on the entire trail is the most since 1954. I’ve had to use ice axe and crampons a lot to cut steps on slopes, and GPS to navigate 90% of the time since mile 700 because you cant see the trail. River fords are dangerously fast and high because of snow melt, often up to my chest and ropes tied to trees for safety ... This is not normal hiking, and it got old a long time ago.
I’m seriously homesick, miss Asheville, my dogs, and my extended family.
Raw wilderness speaks to me every day. It ingrains into my head new life lessons, and reinforces what I already knew but strayed from long ago. It conveys its teachings in a real, legitimate language that is not spoken or written.
I was hoping that the list of pledges would snowball, and maybe if we gave one last ditch effort to try to convince others to sign up, we could raise even more money. We could tell them that so far, at 1 cent per mile pledge, it is only $13.25. If I make it to Canada, it will be only $26.50.Read the full article
Aug. 10 post:
Hello all! This is Laura. I spoke with John yesterday, and he is fired up and ready to push through Oregon! He is hiking 25-30 miles a day and thinks he will make it to Washington in about 3 weeks. His body feels good, except for some shin splints.
Help us Reach 100 Sponsors We have 70 sponsors so far! If you can help us get to our goal of 100 sponsors by forwarding this info to your friends and family, that’d be great! Click here to participate.
May 31: 700 miles into the journey
John has nearly reached his goal of 700 miles and is getting ready to hit the High Sierras tomorrow. Apparently they are about to get record snowfall for May/June. He is in a fair amount of pain, but its tolerable. He will be out of touch for the next 3-4 weeks. Let’s all hold him in our thoughts as he traverses this unfriendly terrain.
July 12:
The snow on the entire trail is the most since 1954. I’ve had to use ice axe and crampons a lot to cut steps on slopes, and GPS to navigate 90% of the time since mile 700 because you cant see the trail. River fords are dangerously fast and high because of snow melt, often up to my chest and ropes tied to trees for safety ... This is not normal hiking, and it got old a long time ago.
I’m seriously homesick, miss Asheville, my dogs, and my extended family.
Raw wilderness speaks to me every day. It ingrains into my head new life lessons, and reinforces what I already knew but strayed from long ago. It conveys its teachings in a real, legitimate language that is not spoken or written.
I was hoping that the list of pledges would snowball, and maybe if we gave one last ditch effort to try to convince others to sign up, we could raise even more money. We could tell them that so far, at 1 cent per mile pledge, it is only $13.25. If I make it to Canada, it will be only $26.50.Read the full article
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Hang in there. It is all worth it.
I hope for good weather through Washington for you, it can be the most beautiful section given sunshine.
By Bojangles
08/11/2011