JMT 2021 – planning update

Last weekend I placed orders with Pack-It Gourmet, Amazon, and REI, and beginning Thursday boxes started arriving. Saturday I received the final confirmation, everything I ordered should be delivered.

Today was “Christmas.” I have all the food items except tortillas (which I’ll purchase at the last minute) and any treats to include in the resupplies. And I have all items on the gear list, though need to check and refresh my first aid and toilet kits. Once I get to that level of detail it is quite likely I’ll need to make a run to the market or Walgreen’s.

This is all quite unusual for me; that is have all my stuff nearly four weeks before I head out. Last year I had everything down just over a day and half before I left. Resupply has a way of forcing early prep.

And training is going okay. I do a pretty good job of staying fit year-round, but the COVID gym closures set my lifting back. I don’t have a barbell and plates in my home setup.

I’ve built back to 100% of my pre-Covid strength with exception of squats and deadlifts which are 90-95%. Aerobically, I can sustain a heart rate at 150 bpm for 30 minutes, and recover in under 10, and added “distance” running once morning temps reached the upper-20’s. 10k is a comfortable distance, 8.5 miles is my longest so far. I’ve been ramping slowly. I started too fast a couple years ago and banged up my knees; I didn’t run at all for close to 2 years. My endurance on the trail is better when I run, even better when I can rip half-marathon distances. I’ll keep with the 10k for now; don’t want to over-do it and start the hike hurt, and I’ll continue increasing my distance after the hike.

So in all, feeling pretty good with my prep.