I am now 4 months into my 6.5 months journey. Even though it might seem that way, I am not traveling for the sake of traveling. This entire trip has been built around a quest to become a more experienced hiker in order to do more physically and mentally demanding routes. Over the last 4 months I’ve taken on several backpacking trips, each presenting its own set of challenges and giving me unique takeaways to be applied in the future.

These are in order:

Huemul Circuit (Argentina): Extreme wind

Laguna de Los tres (Argentina): Solo overnight backpack

Torres Del Paine (Chile): Hiking on my own for multiple days

Osorno volcano (Chile): Not a multi day hike but it taught me some snow skills

5 laguna traverse (Argentina): Extreme exposure to heights

Ciudad Perdida (Colombia): Heat and humidity

Los Nevados (Colombia): Rain and mud

I have one more 4 day backpacking trip in Utah (and several day hikes) coming up that will test all that I have learned plus navigational skills before I start on the John Muir Trail in an epic snow year. I had initially planned to start in August, as most sensible people would. But a change in plans in my ‘real life’ forced me to start in early July instead, when the lingering snow on high passes and stream crossings would be challenging in a regular year, let alone an epic snow year. Yet my intuition tells me that it was the right decision. In the age of global climate change, California has gone from winter to summer over the course of 2 weeks. Heavy snowfall has now been replaced with heatwaves and soon, wildfires will once again be inevitable. It’s possible, with caution and training, to tackle snow and stream crossings but wildfires will end my hike decisively. That’s how I justify starting in July instead of August. And also, with all the hiking over the past few months, I have never been more physically fit. I’m (almost) ready!

Of course, this whole trip is not entirely about hiking. Along the way, I got to see incredible wildlife in their natural habitats, experience new cultures, drink fine wine, satisfy my taste buds and catch up with old friends. 4 months down. 2.5 more months to go. And I cannot be more excited!