Wanna try the JMT with me?

“Hey Obi! I would love to join you guys. I won't be able to do the whole trip but I'd be able to do a long weekend! You guys are always doing a trip the time of my annual white water rafting trip which is Aug 3-4. I guess I could start with you guys on the 5th but I'll know closer to that time. Keep us posted!”

“You're on, hikerchic! How you doin', girl? I never see you in here anymore... then, BAM! Did you read the whole thread? Could have a few going this time... I'm working out, though... not gonna let it kick my butt, like another hike we know, eh?

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!”

“I recently joined the local gym...
I think I'm gonna try to reduce my load ...not my pack ....my gut!

Question ...if I lose 35 lbs would that = my pack weighing 0 ? ;)”

“I'm gonna try to lose 40... that way, my pack will be lighter than air, and I can FLOAT my way over the passes!”

“I am ready SHOW ME THE PASSES i'll eat'em alive!”

“I'm interested in doing a 3 or 4 days of the trip at the beginning. Is there still room?”

“Probably not. It gets pretty tight in between some of those mountains.”

“Wingding....permits have not been aquired yet. I think Obi is still trying to get a head count on those interested.”

“On a scale of 1 to 10, how hard would you say this hike is going to be??

I should be in purty good shape by then...

Been runnin every day after work. and lifting weights.
I was already in good shape, but I want to be in excellent condition. You know, so it's just easy

Maybe I could even join Camel Fluffer and his gang. Or Kleetn on a Rainier expo...someday”

“i am fit and ready! count me in!!!”

“Was checking for current permit info., and ran across this site...

Sierra Wilderness Permits, Revised for 2002

Permits are $5 per person, OR, $15 per person for a Mt. Whitney trail reservation (non-refundable). When you get to the site, there's a link at the bottom of the page which brings up a Word version of the permit application, from which you can print a copy.

Now, I've assumed the responsibility for completing this, and getting to the powers that be... but I'm not going to fund it for you (Thanks, Mel, you taught me well!).

A large group will be more difficult to obtain the date we want than a small group - HOWEVER - 1/3 of the spots are reserved for walk-ins, and TWO small groups have as good a chance as any to get the dates we want.

Sooooo......

I'm going to contact the appropriate Ranger district tomorrow, speak to the answer man (or woman), and report back here ASAP. Since we're 6 months and a few days from planned departure, I think we should get a move-on...”

“The entry point - Bear Diversion Dam - is shown on this Topozone map (just click on the link). The dam is at the lower left corner, the trail is quite visible, and it joins the JMT at the far upper right side. Print the map if you want.

I also called the Sierra Nat'l Forest office, was told permits are $5/person, but no Whitney fee of $15 is required from this entry point. I'm not sure about that, but will confirm. Also, the 6 month window is accurate, so we still have a few days.
"http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=11&n=4137152&e=328727&s=50&size=m"Bear Diversion Dam to JMT trail

Note: Permits here are by mail order only (no phone/fax/email).”

“I'd give it an 8

Because of the mileage and
1 point for each of the 8 major obstacles/climbs...

Selden Pass 10,900'
Muir Pass 11,955'
The Golden Staircase
Mather Pass 12,100'
Pinchot Pass 12,130'
Glenn Pass 11,978'
Forester Pass 13,120'
Mount Whitney 14,491'

Wanna get high ? Takes on a whole new meaning doesn't it? ;)”

“You can go to my website to see what you're in for. There's a page on the JMT. The albums are divided by location. This section of the JMT was my favorite.”

“On our JMT hike last summer we bagged Mather and Pinchot in one day...we even got to hike in the darka bit..man my legs were shot...Looks like a good entry point OBI...You'll have no problems getting permits for this entry point.. I'd bet my 3rd testicle on it..j/k”

“Heres how I'd rate the passes:

Selden Pass 10,900'(it's nothin)
Muir Pass 11,955'(cake walk)
The Golden Staircase
Mather Pass 12,100'(Quad Burner)
Pinchot Pass 12,130'(moderate)
Glenn Pass 11,978'(hard & Deceptive)
Forester Pass 13,120'(hard, but not as bad as you'd think)
Mount Whitney 14,491'(This will take your wind and your legs)”

“Thanks wsdavies! That helps !!
I know it's not a pass ...but what about the staircase? Just tedious switchbacks?”

“Its not that bad. Its pretty flat til you get to it then it switchbacks, but not for long.”

“Personally I consider the Golden Staircase to be part of Mather Pass, as it leads up to Mather..so my rating of Mather includes the GS..

PS. This part of the JMT is alot of up N down...If you plan to train for this def. put hill work on the top of your training list.”

“For anyone I haven't emailed yet, I'll be sending in a request for permit for Aug. 5th no later than Feb. 5th. If you plan to go, email me (check my profile) and I'll get my addy to ya - $5 per people.

I'd like to organize a group meetng, too, for anyone in the area, just a get-together for some early planning.

I'm located, BTW, in the Napa Valley - about an hour N. of SF. Biz, come on up, we'll make it a long weekend!

Sol - how about you, bubba? You can bring some o' them DE-hydrated veggies for some great soup, like you did last year, eh?

What a gourmond!”

“about doing 10 miles/day in 12 days? These are only approximate mileages (I could be wrong on these). I jotted down high/low points and notes from our trip.

1)Florence Lk to Muir Ranch = 4.5 mi /300' gain (gives time to acclimate & visit hot springs)
2)MR to Evolution Valley = 9 mi /1600' gain
3)EV to Wanda Lake = 10.8 /2200' gain
4)WL to Muir Pass to Grouse Mdw = 11.3 mi / 500' gain, 3900' loss
5)GM to Golden Staircase & Mather Pass to Upper Basin = 12.2 mi / 4350' gain, 700' loss
6)UB to Pinchot Pass to Twin Lks = 11.5 mi / 1500' loss, 2100' gain, 1600' loss
7)TL to Rae Lakes = 10 mi/ 2000' loss, 1800' gain
8)RL to Glen Pass to Center Basin = 10 mi / 1900' gain, 2600' loss, 900' gain
9)CB to Forester Pass to Tyndall Creek = 9 mi / 2700' gain, 2100' loss
10)TC to Guitar Lake = 13 mi 600' gain, 1000' loss, 1100' gain
11)GL to Whitney/Muir/Consultation Lk = 12 mi / 3000' gain, (add 200' gain/loss if you do Muir), 2800' loss
12)CL to Whitney portal = 5.5 mi/ 3100'loss (if you have enuf energy the day before, go for it)”

“Got yours yesterday, Bill. Thanks.

WW?
Roseymonster?
Biz?
Poppinfresh?

Wingding, yea, there's always room for TT'rs... you comin'?

Etc., Etc...?”

“What can I say Obi...some of us talk the talk and walk the walk. Cmon, people put your money where your mouth is...Trust me, this is a great hike, and you'll be thinking about it for years to come.....”

“She doesn't want me to be gone that many days in a row. I don't know, she usually is pretty easy going about this stuff....I'll work on it ;)

I'll send you the $10 anyway Obi and whittle away at her until then :) Worst case scenario ...someone else will get a free ride on the permit.”

“Maybe she thinks you guys are axe murderers or something...LOL!

My son still says he wants to go ...I'll have him work on her too!”

“My mom says no but I'm working on it.”

“I would like to do the whole trip but we might have to bail after Rae Lakes (Cedar Grove)...we'll see. I'm still working on it ;)

What's the plan for transportation
back from Whitney Portal ???”

“I don't think I'll fit this time.”

“So far, we have four confirmed, one more probable, and a few short-timers along the way - who will, of course, be responsible for their own permits.

If YOU are one of those short-timers, would you mind chiming in once more? Let me know where you're thinking of joining us, and when. If you're only coming in a few days, perhaps we could pursuade you to do a small re-supply along the way, eh? We're considering all our options, so if you're able, willing, and planning to join us a few days, please let me know.

Thanks!”

“I can come in at Rae Lakes/Charlotte Lake the following Saturday and bring in ~10 lbs.”

“I'll have to have a look at the map and decide what would be best to do. I'm taking 12 days to do the llamarama so at most, I'd be able to do a three or four day weekend. I'd like to bag Whitney as I've never done it and most likely won't be in CA next summer. However, that said, I'll prolly opt to get the necessary permits day of. I'll be going very light and plan a sub 20lb pack for such a short time (maybe can be cohersed into bringing in some goodies for the crew) -- hopefully with a GVPG4 pack and a Jardine tarp tent combo if I can convince my mom to sew it. I'm stoked!”

“I think that would be more than generous. We'd love to have you, of course, and anyone else who's of a mind to do so.

WW, got your check today, thanks!

A way out of WHitney Portal? I thought we were staying there until NEXT year!?

Got Thumb?”

“you're scaring me”

“Looks like the making of an awesome trip.

When you're out there get up early. Everyday. Catch the sunrise. Watch for the sunset. Smell the flowers.

And, get lots of photos to share!”

“Get up early..huh...ehehh..I'm starting to look forward to this..Here's to summer 2002 the best yet..yeaaaaaaaaaaa”

“Hey everyone! I'm not sure that I'll be able to do this one because I don't have a firm commit from my brother. Because I'll only have 4 days, I'll be hiking in around half way to meet the rest of you & I don't want to hike in by myself. I don't think that is safe. And I didn't read about the permit requirement until now, so I'll go ahead and put in for mine and my brother's even though I don't know for sure.

It doesn't look like there are any other girls going. Are there any?”

“Hikerchic,
I'm going in from the East (Onion Valley/9200' to Kearsarge Pass/11823' to Rae Lakes/10560'or Charlotte Lake/10370') the following weekend to bring pizza and beer or whatever. Its 7 mi to Rae, and 8 mi to Charlotte. I can only do a weekender. Let me know if you want to come with me.

Its pretty safe out there. I do a lot of solo trips.”

“I meant Kearsarge Lakes, not Rae Lakes.”

“Shame on you SN how could you confuse Rae and Kearsarge lakes...that's just wrong...wait did you say beer and pizza...better bring some Jack Daniels..beer might not cut it”

“A blonde moment....”

“Happens to me all the time.

But...

MEMORY is the thing I forget with!”

“Let me check all that out on the map and get back to you. And some mentioned Jack? yah hoo! I'll bring in the Jack for everyone!

thanks!”

“I found out why my wife was making such a big deal out of this trip...
Our 20th Wedding Anniversary is right in the middle of this trip!
duuhhh...ok i get it.

Sorry but I'm out! ...Keep the 10 spot Obi, anybody want a free reservation?”

“What better place to celebrate 20 years, but in God's country.......with some Jack and your pepsi can stove”

“if I could only get her to go...I'd have it made!”

“I got my wife to hike the HST with me last summer during her birthday...tell her you'll buy her a new Volvo..it works every time”

“WW, that'd be great to have her along, but I recall you saying something on the Jennie Lakes hike about that... don't think she's a candidate, right?

Oh well... we'll be a tighter-knit group than anticipated.

As WW said, though, there's room... anyone else reconsider this one? It'd be great to have a few from TT...”

“So...Obi..who's going so far? I expect that I'll have at least one more with me..not sure who yet...Cmon people this will be a blast...”

“So far, it's me, you, a friend of yours, a friend of mine (maybe), and room for two more ...

Anyone...? Anyone...?

...Bueller? ... Bueller?”