Backpacking, especially at altitude with major elevation changes, can be a love-hate relationship. The amazing wonders of going where not many others go while getting away from the day-to-day grind are the lure. But when exhaustion hits, and it always does on long trips, we can’t help but think about how difficult it is at that moment in time. That’s why I love this quote from my friend James Temple, a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, from a recent John Muir Trail adventure. It poignantly summarizes what so many of us feel at those tough moments in the hike with a sense of humor that is 100% James.

My backpack is my Kryptonite
– James Temple

Have you heard (or overheard) an amusing quote while on the trail? Do share!

An aside: The photo above isn’t from the JMT, but rather backpacking the Skyline-to-the-Sea trail, but how could I not use that to represent this quote? In case you are wondering that is James pretending to saw through a massive downed tree with a pocket knife.

Related: John Muir Trail video: 50 miles in 4 minutes by James Temple from SFGate.com’s Bad Latitude Travel blog