The John Muir Trail was his trip of a lifetime — just look

Photographer Jeremy Evans finally took his lifelong dream trip: a solo journey on the John Muir Trail. And he took pictures — more than 5,000.

By Rene Lynch, Los Angeles Times

December 30, 2012

Every New Year, Jeremy Evans made a promise to himself. This would be the year the Los Angeles freelance photographer and cinematographer would embark on the trip of a lifetime: a solo, 215-mile trek along the John Muir Trail in California's Sierra Nevada. But each passing year the journey remained on his bucket list. Finally, Evans made the personal and financial choices needed to set aside three weeks to hike the trail that starts in Yosemite National Park and winds through Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park before ending at Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the Lower 48 states. Sure, it put a dent in his wallet. (As luck would have it, a slew of job offers came in for the very dates Evans planned his backpacking adventure.) But Evans says that's just a reminder that he accomplished a lifelong goal on his fall journey. Now he has more than 5,000 images to show for his efforts, plus several time-lapse videos you can watch at his website, http://www.evansdp.com. We hope his images inspire you to make 2013 the year in which you embark on the trip of a lifetime.

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lbsailor at 10:15 AM January 07, 2013

What a great adventure, Jeremy! I have so many of those dream trips on my adventure list... it's time to cross a few off. Thanks for the inspiration, and great images! What camera gear did you bring? I like how you stored your camera on the front of the pack in a fanny-great idea.

Cheers, Bernadette

Ray Rippel at 12:15 PM December 30, 2012

Well done and great photos! And congratulations on not getting distracted. For others that may be reading, next year would be a great year to walk this trail. I call it the perfect New Year's Resolution. Here are some reasons that 2013 should be the year:

First of all, every single person reading this blog will be older in 2014 than in 2013. Unless you’re a youngster, not even out of high school, it’s never going to be easier. Do it while you can!

Second, permits are not going to get any easier in the future. Hiking is getting more and more popular (as is this trail), and the demand for permits is only going up.

Last, it will make you a better person, and isn’t that what New Year’s resolutions are about? Aren’t losing weight, stopping smoking, spending more time with the family, or any of the other goals we set for ourselves really just specific versions of the general goal, “I want to be a better person.”

You’ll be better, body and soul, when you take your last step on the trail, probably at the summit of Mount Whitney. The new you will be stronger, more confident, more focused, and—this one I will guarantee you—thinner! Nothing worth achieving is easy, but walking this trail is worth every step.

Good hiking, Ray

Ray Rippel
Author, "Planning Your Thru-Hike of the John Muir Trail"
http://jmtbook.com/
Follow me at: www.twitter.com/JMTBook

debcmca at 8:44 PM December 29, 2012

Fantastic and inspirational photographs of an amazing adventure, well done!

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