Wanna try the JMT with me?

“By the way, SN, do you have the smaller version, or the larger? It appears that the smaller one is still a bit larger than the Garcia I have - 650 vs. 600 c.i., if I remember correctly... is it sturdy enough to sit on? Any other issues I should consider, besides the hefty premium?”

“I haven't been able to get on TT since Friday night!

Permit is filled out. Where do I send it? Prather or Porterville? I haven't done much in the western Sierras, so I'm not familiar with the permit system. On the eastern side the ranger leaves it outside for me to pick up.”

“I sent mine to Prather, but it might help to call 559-855-5360 (Sierra Nat'l Forest). They'll tell you where to send it. Since you'll be entering from within Kings Cyn., the source may be different than mine (which was focused on westside entrances in the Muir Wilderness, Kaiser & Dinkey Lakes wild's).

If not, then try Inyo National Forest Permit Office at 760-873-2483 M-F, 1-5 p.m.”

“I'd like to tag along for the first couple days and then maybe loop around and go over Pine Creek Pass and Italy Pass on the way back to the trailhead. I'll go ahead and put in for my own permit.

The starting day is August 4th, right?”

“Snowy ...If your coming in from Cedar Grove you'll need to get a permit from SEKI.

SEKI Wilderness Permits”

“Thanks, I'll send it off tomorrow!”

“August 4th indeed, wingding... Sunday.

By the way, My plan is to get there on Saturday, and plan on a steak dinner with all the trimmings. I believe it's in my best interests to acclimate to altitude, and I don't believe there's a better way than to get in a day early, and completely ignore everything but my palate!”

“I sent in for a permit for August 4th. It looks like the trailhead quota is 13, so I hope I get it.

Has anyone backpacked from Honeymoon Lake to Lake Italy? It looks like part of the trip might be xcountry. One of my maps has a trail and the other doesn't.”

“I've done it. Started from Rock Creek, over Mono Pass to Second Recess, the creek crossing that we both fell in , over Gabbot Pass, down to Lake Italy, over Italy Pass to Honeymoon Lake and out Pine Creek. The last 3-4 miles out was steep switchbacks (boring), and I was glad I was going down instead of up. My knee got messed up on the last day (out 6 days) and I ended up in ER. Until then the trip was nice. There's a trail, just gotta keep an eye out for cairnes. It rained the first 5 days (even 1 day of snow), and SnowDude had HAPE by the 3rd morning. We had a big snow crossing that ended up in Lake Italy if we slipped. I want to do it again, just gotta find the time.”

“Wow, how'd my link do that?”

“Windwalker,
Why don't you walk in with us from Cedar Grove? If you can't make the whole weekend, you can dayhike it with us. Just a thought”

“Thanks for the info Snow Nymph. It'll be nice to be able to do a loop instead of going in and back out the same way. If I get my permit, I'll see you guys up there on the 3rd or 4th.”

“WingDing, aren't you doing Whitney with us on the 7th?”

“Snow Nymph, thought you were doing Whitney the 5th? I'll be there the 7th.”

“I'm not too sure Wld has room on his Whitney permit for me to go. It might be already filled up. I guess I should check with him.”

“Whitney is such a jungle in August...Guitar lake looks like a pavilion..I was there July 9th last year..not a single person at Guitar Lake..come the middle of August there were hundreds.......”

“I know, I know....
It just seems like a good way to end a vacation. The permit just happened to be the day my vacation ends, so I'll take a extra day off. After 3 weeks in altitude, I should be able to fly...?”

“I put in for my permit. If I get it then the first two days of my trip should match up to the JMT trip. I'm thinking my loop will take about 5 days.”

“Windwalker,
Why don't you walk in with us from Cedar Grove? If you can't make the whole weekend, you can dayhike it with us. Just a thought"
Snow Nymph
04:06:20 AM
03/21/02


Would love to dayhike or do a weekend with y'all...
but that is the weekend of my 20th Wedding Anniversary. If I miss that, I would be in more hot water than a hot spring could supply ;)

I'm going to try to make that Mineral King trip with Wingding and y'all.”

“It'll be great if you can make it Memorial Day Weekend Wind Walker. I received the permit a few days ago. It has 12 spaces on it, so there should be plenty of room for anyone that wants to be included in the permit.”

“I was going to apply for my own permit... but if you have room for me that would be great!”

“I wish there was more time and less work. I'm not going to be able to do my loop.”

“We have to get together by June 15-16 to get stuff to me to carry in. I'm booked the next two weekends, then we leave for Montana/Wyoming. We'll be driving back the weekend you leave. We can meet in the Sierras, or do it by mail.”

“Snow Nymph, do you mean for me/us/we to get re-supply stuff to you by then? Or you referring to the MK loop wing ding's doin'?

If now, by when? Shouldn't be a problem, but good to know...”

“I think the latest weekend I can come out to get the cache is June 15-16 weekend. After that, it'll have to be mailed or left with someone else. There's a slight chance I might make it out June 22-23 for the Lake Virginia backpack (the first part of Mel's trip). After thinking about it, I'm not sure if I'm in shape to do the Mud Run. SD & I will be doing a July 4th 4-5 dayer. After that, Montanapalooza and the Winds. I'll be back in town Aug 4th, long enuf to take a shower and drive out for the Whitney dayhike. You guys will be on your way by then.

So, that's my schedule.”

“MK is still on for Memorial Day, Whitney is on, but I won't be able to do the first couple of days of they JMT.

I better not confuse this thread anymore with other trips.”

“Another thought for the resupply. Will the ranger station or anyplace near Roads End hold the cache til I get there? That would give you more time, but then you'd have to drop it off. I could pick it up the day I go in. I know nothing about where to go on the west side. Or maybe you can give it to someone else and they can bring it to Roads End when I get there?

Going to bed now.
When we did the JMT, Tuolumne Store and Reds Meadow held our stuff for a few $$. We mailed stuff to Muir Ranch and picked it up there. Just a thought, to buy you more time.”

“Not sure about that, I'll look into it. Otherwise, it shouldn't be a problem getting things to you well before 6/15...

Damn, SN, where DO you find the time?”

“"Damn, SN, where DO you find the time"
Obi Wan Canoli

I make time.”

“Can you make some for ME?”

“That's what i was thinking”

“I get so few opportunities to be crude... case in point, it took 279 postings to get me there...

I'm gonna have to start another thread... Hello? Jerry Springer Show?”

“Am i missing something...what was crude..or is this tongue in cheek....? At anyrate, I'm really starting to look forward to the trip as the weather has warmed up..I was in Death Valley a couple weeks ago that too made me want to get back on the trail....”

“I got to thinking about how nice the weather was getting to be out here in sunny CA... and how stoked I'm getting about the hike in August... been having trouble with my knee, though... and right ankle... dammit... broke that many years ago, now I think R.A.'s got something to do with both, but I feel better today, can almost walk without a gimp...

Time to get busy planning, etc., and gotta get re-supply together for Snow Nymph... SN, you'll have to get me your addy soon (got my E?) and to Steve, too...

I wondered, too, if anyone else might have considered joining us? How about it, Biz? At this late stage, I doubt you're as committed as you once seemed to be,m but you're on the list, so to speak... making any progres on a decision?

Anyone else out there?

Yeehahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!”

“After Montanapalooza, the Winds and Whitney, I'll be ready. I have a partner to help with the resupply, unless plans change. I'll send a e-mail.”

“I'm def. looking forward to it too. In terms of conditioning I feel pretty good right now, we ran 13 miles Sunday and it felt great..I'd like to drop 15 lbs., but that would involve cutting way back on my beer habit..I'll incorperate some hill work into my training come June...At anyrate, send me an e-mail if you need anything...Cheers Steve”

“13 Miles? MY GOD MAN! Steve check your hotmail account. You have mail.”

“Okee Dokee, time's gettin' close... if my R.A. holds out, if my knee doesn't argue, if my shins cooperate, I'm getting ready... the last month has been a hard one, but I'm still on the agenda, and I'm checking in...

Cal... Ogregon... Biz... Rosey?

Who's ready?

Biz, you've been holding out too long... you in or out?

So far, got a permit for 6, appears there are only two, maybe one more going.

Snow Nymph, we'll be needing an addy to send resupply, and again, very much appreciate your generosity in bringing it in.

Who's getting ready?”

“uhhh... hello?

Hellooooooooooooooo....?”

“Hey Obi, how are ya? My JMT group has firm dates, entry-exit points, permits etc. We decided to just do 1/2 of the trail this year, Florence Lake to Whitney. Right now we're getting down to the nitty-grity detail stuff. We're working on menu planning, gear lists, etc for the next month or two.

You always seemed to be WAYYY more organized than most in these areas (a good thing!), do ya wanna share any of your plans? We're really focussed on weight AND space reduction during the next couple months.

Question # 1 - I'm thinking of getting a "seal-a-meal" type vacuum product,,,which do you have, what would you recommend?”

“Obi, just found out Woods is 17 miles/3000' gain ONE WAY! (and not 13 mi, BIG difference) It might take us 2 days to get there, which means Sunday. Then we have to hike out. I've never hiked that distance (with the elevation) with a pack. Someone else told me 20 miles one way, which is more discouraging.

If possible, make your resupply as light as possible. I'm doing research on this trail.......”

“"Guide to the John Muir Trail" By Thomas Winnett says it's 14 miles from the Cedar Grove Roads End to the JMT Junction at Woods Creek.

The Tom Harrison map I have of the SeKi area says it's 15.4 miles .

I'll be in Cedar Grove/ Paradise Valley this weekend....so when I get back... I'll let you know what the signs say :)”

“Crap! There goes the fifth of Jack Daniels..........”

“WW, 14 miles sounds a lot better. I can handle that. Please, please, please come back Monday and tell me its closer to 14 than 17!!!

Steve, I might feel like I drank a fifth by the time we get to Woods Creek!”

“SN the fact that your willing to resupply us in the first place..blows my mind..you're the real deal..Seriously, It'll be great to finally meet..and hopefully the favor can be returned at some later date...”

“Wanderer, I've got a product called a FoodSaver, made by Tilia out of S.F. It literally sucks all the air out of their special plastic bags, then heat seals it. While you can cut and trim the excess off if you want, you'll do well to remember that when you increase elevation, the air pressure change will inflate those bags you just sucked air OUT of...

As long as you don't jam the goods in a bear can (like I did, when I got 12 days worth of food in a Garcia can made for six!), you should be fine... For what it's worth, I was standing over the lid when, as I twisted the coin-screw open, it hit me in the chest, and lifted me 3 feet off the ground... 'course, getting it back ON at that point was the challenge!

The other option I've used in conjunction with the FoodSaver is snack-sized baggies with the ziplock, and the old style baggies (no ziplock) with twist ties...

You can fill up a lot of empty space with peanuts, M&M's, etc., that you can just drop in. Also, soft goods, like puddings, powders, etc., should NOT be in FoodSaver bags, but in small ziplocks, so they remain pliable, and easier to pack and stuff.

Snow Nymph... Damn, woman, I sure HOPE it's not 17 miles... Mike, you be sure to keeps us posted, OK? Can't believe my maps are that far off... will be double checking distances, etc., and look forward to Wind Walker's report.”

“"Snow Nymph... Damn, woman, I sure HOPE it's not 17 miles....."

Me too!!!! Even if it is, we'll be there.

Our resuppliers still showed up for us after the 9/11 incident. (on 9/14) If they hadn't, we would've had to bail. I know how important these resupplies are! We'll be there!

This will be WLD's 3rd time resupplying since last summer. It'll be my first.”

“You tell WLD..That WSD really appreciates it...It'll be great to hook up with the so-cal crew....”

“We can put the JD in his pack. Maybe it'll slow him down. He's always waiting for me to catch up. heheheh!”

“Steve, I'm bringing the FD JD... you bring the dehydrated ice cubes...

Thanks, SN... I'm looking at ways to lighten BOTH our loads...

Anyone hear from Cal or Ogregon? They're supposed to be starting JMT in Yo, and they expected to be close to hooking up with us. In fact, that was before we moved up our departure by a day, so it should be easier to meet up.

Who else is meeting us at Bear Diversion Dam? Some mentioned doing a short 3-4 day loop, but it'd be great to have everyone join for that initial start.”