Ep 12: Hike the Lost Coast Trail

The "What a Year" podcast, hosted by Jeremy George, features a discussion on hiking the Lost Coast Trail with guests Megan McMahon, Jeremy Stone, and Stephen Lyon. The group reminisces about their trip, highlighting the untouched beauty of the trail, abundant wildlife, and their favorite moments, such as playing bocce rock and encountering otters. They also discuss the challenges, like navigating impassable zones and dealing with poison oak. The conversation touches on future adventures, including skydiving and hiking the John Muir Trail, emphasizing the importance of balancing work with personal passions and pre-planning vacations.

• Host Jeremy George introduces the "What a Year" podcast.
• Discussion focuses on goal number 33: hiking the Lost Coast Trail.
• Guests include Megan McMahon, Jeremy Stone, and Stephen Lyon, all with connections to UCSD and soccer.

"Today we're discussing goal number 33 to hike the Lost Coast Trail. I've got with me my campmates and fellow bocce rock enthusiasts, Megan McMahon, Jeremy Stone, and Stephen Lyon."

• Introduction of guests and their background, including their connections and current locations.

"Stephen has actually already been on an episode. So for our avid listeners, you guys know who Stephen is. He was two-time captain all around. Just very solid defensive back."

• Stephen Lyon's previous appearance and role in the soccer team.

• Initial planning for the trip started in September 2020 but was canceled due to fires.
• The trip was inspired by the untouched nature of the Lost Coast Trail.

"The Lost Coast Trail is in northern California. It's actually like a hundred mile stretch, but typically the part that actually gets hiked is this 25-mile stretch, which is what we did."

• Description of the Lost Coast Trail and its unique features.

"What's so cool about it is basically, it's untouched. Right. And the way I kind of think about it is it was almost like a safari of northern California because there's all this wildlife."

• Explanation of the untouched nature and wildlife of the Lost Coast Trail.

• The original plan was to hike in September 2020 with a group of soccer players and their significant others.
• The trip was canceled due to fires and safety concerns.

"The plan was to bring, I think, eight other homies from the national champs team, essentially all soccer players and some of their significant others."

• Initial plan for the trip and the group composition.

"There was raging fires in northern California, probably all over California, but at least in northern California."

• Reason for the cancellation due to fires.

"The email said, you can come if you want, but if you get injured, you will not get rescued. Do not. Also, you're not allowed to have any fires or camp stove, so have fun cold soaking your food."

• Safety concerns and restrictions due to the fires.

• The trip was rescheduled, and the group managed to complete it in August.
• Megan's initial lack of knowledge about the Lost Coast Trail and her trust in the group's planning.

"Megan, have you even had you, had you even heard about the Lost Coast?"

"No, I was just told we're going on this trip."

• Megan's experience and perspective on the trip planning.

"Hats off to Stone and Matt for doing the bulk of the planning initially."

• Acknowledgment of the planning efforts by Jeremy Stone and Matt.

• The trail is flat but has impassable zones due to tides, requiring careful planning.
• Importance of having at least one experienced hiker in the group.

"Part of what makes the Lost Coast Trail unique, or at least challenges, these impassable zones. It's a very flat trail, so it's not something that you need to be an advanced hiker to do, but you do need at least one person in your group that knows what they're doing."

• Explanation of the trail's challenges and the necessity of experienced hikers.

• The podcast sets the stage for a detailed discussion about the Lost Coast Trail hike experience.
• Emphasis on the unique aspects and planning required for such a trip.

"So that's what really motivated me to do this trip, and it actually exceeded my expectations."

• Jeremy's motivation and satisfaction with the trip.

By summarizing these key themes and providing relevant quotes, the study notes encapsulate the core messages and details discussed in the podcast transcript.

• The initial plan was detailed and complicated, but it was not strictly followed.
• Awareness of impassable zones was crucial for safety, even if the plan wasn't followed precisely.
• Timing was critical to avoid dangerous conditions, such as high tides.

"We planned it all out and then we totally didn't really follow it at all."

• Despite careful planning, the actual execution deviated from the plan.

"We overly complicated things from the get-go. Listening to these calls with planning the impassable zones was just. My mind hurt and I wasn't even involved."

• The complexity of planning for impassable zones was mentally taxing.

"One of the week or two following our trip, it became completely impassable during daylight hours. So you would have been hiking, you know, midnight on."

• Timing was essential to avoid impassable zones, highlighting the importance of choosing the right day.

• The power of the ocean and the potential danger it posed were significant considerations.
• The group had to be cautious about high tides and the strength of waves.

"I remember when we stood in the water, like, knee-deep in a wave came and the amount of power behind it. I could not imagine if that tide was high and we were up against the cliffside just getting pummeled with our back over."

• The ocean's power posed a real danger, especially during high tide.

• Simple activities like playing games with rocks provided significant enjoyment.
• Early morning hikes and wildlife encounters were particularly memorable.

"We played Bosch ball with rocks. We played golf with the rocks. And it was just cool that, I mean, we didn't have anything else to entertain us, so we just found something."

• Simple, impromptu games with rocks were a highlight of the trip.

"If I had a time capsule, but of, like, a feeling, like I could snap my finger and have this feeling or put on headphones and go to this moment, it would be that first early morning."

• An early morning hike was a particularly memorable and cherished moment.

"Multiple otters coming around the corner and just seeing a mama otter with her two babies, you just don't really see that, you know, these days."

• Encounters with wildlife, such as otters, were a highlight of the trip.

• The group saw a variety of wildlife, including sea otters, elephant seals, sea lions, and bear prints.
• The diversity of wildlife added to the richness of the experience.

"I actually kept a list. We saw elephant seals, sea lions, sea otters, including that majestic otter that took us into, like, Narnia, obviously. Seagulls, pelicans, deer, rattlesnakes, starfish. No bears. But we did see bear prints."

• A detailed list of wildlife observed during the trip.

• The group reflected on whether they would do the trip again and what they might do differently.
• They appreciated the downtime and the relaxed pace of the trip.

"I kind of liked having so much downtime. I mean, I feel like that was part of the highlight for the trip, that, like, we didn't feel rushed."

• Downtime and a relaxed pace were significant factors in making the trip enjoyable.

"I would definitely do it again with another group. I thought it was really fun to go and, you know, because we had a group, we got to play bocce rock and entertain ourselves and play a lot of uno."

• The social aspect and group activities were enjoyable, and the speaker would consider doing the trip again with another group.

• The group was fortunate with the weather, which was mostly favorable throughout the trip.
• Overcast conditions on the last day were more typical of the area.

"We also got really lucky with the weather. I think on this trip, every single day was just amazing. Except for the very last day was overcast, which I think is more typical of that area."

• The group experienced mostly favorable weather, which contributed to the trip's success.

• The group considered whether the trip could be done with a larger group, including first-timers.
• They believed it was feasible, albeit with some challenges.

"Now that I've seen it, I think we can do it for sure. I think that the only tough part, slippery rock would be slippery rock."

• The speaker believes the trip could be done with a larger group, despite some challenging parts.

"And I think, whatever. Everyone would make it eventually, even if they fell on stuff."

• Confidence that everyone could complete the trip, even with potential falls or difficulties.

• Discussion about a challenging part of the Lost Coast hike involving bouldering over slippery rocks.
• Mention of missing a trail that might have led them onto the bluff.

"Everything was easy. But that one part where we had to boulder over these slippery ass rocks and everyone's like, what are you talking about?"

• The speaker highlights a particularly challenging and memorable part of the hike.

"Somehow we missed the trail. I think that took us onto the bluff."

• The group missed a trail that might have made their hike easier, leading to a more difficult route.

• Clarification of terms used during the hike, with some humor about the term "uncrustable."

"Was right in the area marked as an uncrustable. And we got there pretty late in the window."

• The term "uncrustable" is used mistakenly instead of "impassable."

"And by uncrustable he means impassable, as opposed to the delicious peanut butter and jelly snack."

• Clarification that "uncrustable" was meant to be "impassable."

• Discussion about the types of activities to do during the hike to keep engaged and entertained.

"I probably would have brought a soccer ball or, like, an inflatable ball, something small, maybe bring a few more cards, and then, yeah, just plan out some day hikes."

• Suggestions include bringing small games, more cards, and planning day hikes.

• Recollection of helicopters flying over due to a nearby fire, causing concern among the hikers.

"The only time I remember not feeling relaxed was after the helicopter start flying over us."

• Helicopters overhead created a moment of stress during the hike.

"There was that fire that we hadn't seen but we had heard about, and I just remember thinking, like, God damn it, I am not in the mental state to, like, pack up all my shit right now."

• The fire caused anxiety about potentially needing to evacuate quickly.

"We had heard from some other hikers that we had passed earlier in the day that there was. And they had been trying to call on their in reach, you know, Cal fire, and had not been able to do that."

• Other hikers had informed them about the fire and had attempted to contact Cal Fire.

• Discussion about the suitability of bringing dogs on the hike.

"The only bummer about the hike is I wouldn't bring a dog on it."

• It's noted that the hike is not ideal for dogs due to the rough terrain.

"Our dog is just too crazy about the beach. She wouldn't be able to calm herself down enough and rest in between."

• Specific mention of one dog’s temperament making the hike unsuitable.

• Practical advice for future hikers of the Lost Coast trail.

"Don't worry about water. There's plenty of water."

• Assurance that water is abundant on the hike.

"Don't forget pants through those sections of poison ivy."

• Important advice to wear pants to avoid poison ivy.

"The only pants that I brought were rain pants that I actually found at Adiza Lake."

• Personal anecdote about the necessity of having pants for protection.

• Description of the visual appeal and colors experienced during the hike.

"It was a very aesthetically pleasing hike. There's so many different colors. We saw pretty much the full spectrum."

• The hike is noted for its beautiful and varied colors.

"It was just beautiful how red it was. It would just almost look like a sea of red on some of, like, the hillsides going up."

• Specific mention of the striking red color of the poison oak.

• Mention of the food they ate and a humorous nod to potential sponsorship.

"We remember the name, but stopped on the way there, got a sandwich at some sort of bottle shop, and ate it on as our dinner on the trail."

• Description of stopping for sandwiches that became trail meals.

"My first dinner was literally half a sandwich and a donut."

• Casual mention of a simple but satisfying trail meal.

• Discussion of personal bucket list items, particularly skydiving.

"I want 30 this year in June. And for my 30th birthday, I want to skydive."

• One participant expresses a desire to skydive for their 30th birthday.

"My cousin's husband has a gift certificate for Santa Cruz, so maybe I will convince him that he's been needing to use for years."

• Potential plans for skydiving in Santa Cruz using an old gift certificate.

"Should be interesting because he doesn't even like the, you know, the feeling of the drop on roller coasters."

• Mention of a participant's apprehension about skydiving due to a fear of drops.

• Discussion about the anticipation and anxiety before a stressful event.
• Consideration of physical reactions to stress, such as blacking out or other extreme responses.

"I don't think I'm so fucked that I'll be in, like, a panic zone. I think I'll just be really uncomfortable."

• Expressing confidence in managing discomfort rather than panic.

"Forget the fall. It's about before the fall. Like, that's when you panic."

• Emphasizing that the anticipation phase is more anxiety-inducing than the event itself.

"What if you, like, we're, like, so tensed up, like, right before for the, like, anticipation of it, and then you jump out and then, like, you just black out and you, like, don't, like, remember a thing through the whole thing."

• Hypothetical scenario about extreme physical reactions to stress.

• Interest in hiking the John Muir Trail (JMT) and other outdoor activities.
• Discussion about the logistics and planning of long hikes and backpacking trips.

"Especially after watching the documentary after we went, I think I want to hike the JMT."

• Inspired by a documentary to hike the John Muir Trail.

"California's got some great landscape, and the Sierras are great, and I don't know. I hope by the time that I have the time to do it that I've traveled a lot more than I already have internationally."

• Appreciation for California's landscapes and a desire to hike more.

"I do want to backpack Patagonia. Another one on my list."

• Interest in backpacking in Patagonia, highlighting it as a dream destination.

• Importance of planning and choosing the right partner for adventures.
• Mention of various activities in Southern California, such as snowboarding, mountain biking, skateboarding, and surfing.

"She took a page out of your book, JG. She plan ahead and pick a partner."

• Emphasizing the importance of planning and selecting a partner for adventures.

"Living in southern California, you have access to so many, like, cool things that I want to go snowboarding, like early morning go snowboarding and then mountain biking."

• Highlighting the variety of outdoor activities available in Southern California.

"This is such a California episode. We're all just talking about how cool California is."

• Acknowledging the focus on California's diverse outdoor opportunities.

• Balancing career goals with personal interests and maintaining enthusiasm for personal projects.
• Advice on planning vacations and personal time when starting a new job.

"All of my focus has been on the job search, but I'm hoping to have a decision made by December 15. I would say probably start work January 10 or so."

• Discussing the timeline for job search and starting a new position.

"I want to make sure that every year for the rest of my life, I'm still doing those things that matter to me, even if they're not directly related to my career and wealth and all that."

• Commitment to maintaining personal interests and projects alongside career goals.

"If I have one piece of advice for any homies who are starting a new job and it ties into your goal of just doing things that aren't work, that are fun and that you wanted to do is make sure you have a lot of pre planned vacations."

• Advice on ensuring personal time and vacations are planned when starting a new job.

• Brief discussion on the production and editing process of the podcast.
• Preference for keeping the podcast authentic with minimal editing.

"I edit it mostly just for time. Like, I kind of made a rule for myself that I want my. All my episodes to be about 30 minutes, just because I feel like that's kind of the threshold after which you sort of start to stop paying attention."

• Explaining the rationale behind the podcast's length and minimal editing approach.

"I don't actually edit a whole lot. I might bleep out a thing there if, you know, if it needs to be bleeped. But otherwise, you know, I like to keep it pretty authentic."

• Emphasizing the importance of authenticity in the podcast production process.