Special edition shirts available on ETSY.com
Add me to the list of those inspired by John Muir. Have you ever been in the backcountry of the High Sierra or on any of the countless trails John Muir traveled and wondered if the man himself might have stood in that very spot? I have. This illustration is my version of what John Muir might have looked like on a typical day of trail blazing. The Father of our National Parks logged a lot miles and there's a good chance you've hiked in his footsteps. You deserve this Special Edition Shirt.
Mt. Whitney Is the highest peak in the United States (outside Alaska). A fact that is hard to believe if you've ever been to Colorado. From the town of Lone Pine, California on Highway 395, Mt. Whitney and the peaks surrounding it make for a stunning view and are a clarion call to mountaineers of all stripes. If you’ve stood on top of Whitney's 14,505-foot summit, then you know the feeling. If not, it's time to lace up the boots and get on the trail. You'll have a great story to share when someone asks about your special edition shirt.
Is there a Rock more deserving of tribute than the iconic Half Dome in Yosemite National Park? I think not. Maybe you're one of the many hearty souls who have made the trek up the cable ladder to the top of Half Dome - or maybe your style is straight up the face - or, maybe you've enjoyed a cocktail from the valley floor and gazed up at the mighty monolith. Whatever the reason, you deserve this special edition shirt.
My first encounter with Mountain Jack happened many years ago at the base of Matterhorn Peak where Yosemite National Park meets the Hoover Wilderness. An awesome spot that I wanted to visit after reading "Dharma Bums" the classic novel by another Jack - Jack Kerouac.
That afternoon, the wind picked up as storm clouds rolled in and I wondered if I would have enough time to bag the summit and make it back to camp before all Hell broke loose. That's when I saw a fellow hiker who appeared out of nowhere about 200 yards down the trail. It was hard to get a good look but I swear I saw him bend down to eat the wildflowers and drink right from the creek. I ascended a bit further, then stopped to get another look, this time with my spyglass. Just as I got him into focus, he looked right at me, smiled, and tipped his antlers. I waived, tipped my ball cap, and thought maybe the 12,000-foot altitude was getting to me.
Over the years, I've heard similar stories from Joshua Tree to the Canadian border and beyond and I'll bet that you have a story too. Add this special edition shirt to your collection so the next time you see strange footprints on the trail, stop, look around, and tip your hat to Mountain Jack. He might be closer than you think.
If you're a Sierra Nevada trail dog like me you've probably been on the John Muir Trail at some point. Although I have yet to do the entire 211 mile hike in one shot, I've been on several big chunks that are truly worthy of the name John Muir - like Thousand Island lake, Kings Canyon, and of course Mt. Whitney. This design was inspired by the classic Park Ranger green and yellow and those cool patches they wear! If you're one of the many who have conquered the JMT - I tip my hat to you and it goes without saying - you deserve this special edition shirt
Yosemite National Park was established in 1890 but was officially protected since 1864 when President Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant. Thanks Abe. The Yosemite backcountry is one of my favorite areas for hiking and backpacking. On one particular trip up to Clouds Rest, my backpacking partner and I encountered a bear late one night. He was a classic Yosemite bear, large and hungry. We were amazed as he relentlessly tried to snag our food bag hanging in a tree above our camp. He would swat at it a few times, then leave only to come back and try again. And again. I'll never forget that night and so I salute our high-country friend with a simple design of 1890's letterforms and flourish. If you've been lucky enough to be up close with a Yosemite bear, you deserve this special edition shirt.