Warning: The last mile into Tuolumne Meadows almost broke me

I was pushing hard on the John Muir Trail last August, trying to cover 18 miles in a day to beat a storm. My pack felt fine until that final climb, where a loose hip belt buckle gave out and all the weight shifted to my shoulders. What's your go-to gear check before a big push like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

lunakim6d ago

I used to just check the big stuff, but now I always tug every strap like @abby_wilson51 says.

dakota_nelson4314d ago

Ever notice how the last step is always the hardest?

abby_wilson5114d ago

Always check the buckles (learned that the hard way).