Читать книгу The John Muir Trail. Through the Californian Sierra Nevada онлайн

16 страница из 67

While the JMT should present no real difficulties for the seasoned hill and long-distance walker, it is recommended that those undertaking it have previously walked at least one continuous route of more than 150 miles in length, preferably in the Scottish Highlands, Alps or Pyrenees, before attempting the JMT. Some experience at a reasonably high altitude would be an advantage.

If you are concerned that all the planning and physical effort required to walk the John Muir Trail is a little beyond you, then do consider the achievements of Al (Albert) Ansorge from Illinois, who in 2001, when over 80 years old, completed his tenth walk along the entire John Muir Trail. Al made his first JMT trek in 1981 when a mere youngster in his sixties. He reckons that the JMT is the best hike in the world, and this author could not disagree with that opinion.

John Muir

John Muir (1838–1914) is a household name in the US. This somewhat eccentric man – naturalist, conservationist, sage, explorer, mountaineer, inventor, writer and founding father of the national park movement – is alas largely unknown, except to outdoor enthusiasts, in the land where he was born and grew up, Scotland. It is hoped that this guidebook will in some small way help to make the name of John Muir, together with his philosophy, principles of conservation and respect for the wild places of this planet, better known to a wider audience.