Wanna try the JMT with me?

“Snow Nymph - Checking my maps, I find that the trail from Roads End to the Woods Creek junction with the JMT is 13.55 miles.

The first three miles are essentially flat (250 ft. elevation gain), then, the next 2.25 miles come with a 1400 ft. elevation gain. From that point, it's another 2.25 miles of essentially level ground.

The next 6.75 miles include an elevation gain of about 1700 feet until you hit the JMT. It appears to be pretty gradual. If I can find your E, I'll send you the profile.”

“OK, Snow Nymph, I sent both the elevation profile and map to you... Should give you a good look... if you want a closer view, lemme kno, and I'll get in a little closer... will take two maps instead of one, but better clarity.”

“Got the E! Looks good! I enlarged it to 200% for a better look. 13.5 mi sounds GREAT! Thanks!

WW, what did the sign say at Cedar Grove?”

“They never tell you what you really want to know...

Sign”

“Hello Everyone, I'm delurking after a hiatus...

I was posting a little at the beginning of the year, but work and other training endeavors have kept me away from The Backpacker...

Two of my buddies and I finally agreed to do the JMT N-S...but we have to leave July 8.

I've read all of the posts on this thread, and I know I've posted on a few boards to some of you before...

I've never been that organized when it comes to planning these trips. My plan for this hike is to pack the usual bag. Stuff my garcia to the max with enough food to get me to VVR. Bang out 15+ miles per day.

My only concern is the weather. Anyone seen any websites out there by people who hiked this early? My two buddies are both accomplished winter mountaineers (Denali, etc.). I'm definitely the weakest link. I'm not sure how to find out what the snow is like up on some of those passes that early in the season, and if we run the risk of numerous storms...

I have seen a few NWS sites that have all the techincal snow levels, etc. but I'm not keen on interpreting them.

What would you recommend?

Thanks in advance! I wish we were leaving like you guys in August!

loungesong”

“My snowboarding pic (on my website) are updated weekly. A lot of photos from the top of Mammoth Mtn (11,053') still covered with 4' snow yesterday. You can see the Minarets, Banner and Ritter from the photos. Go to the Mammoth Page

Snow Nymph's Website ”

“Some friends hiked to Mt Abbot (Not JMT, but 13K+) last Saturday. I'll be posting a photo or two of their trip on the webpage (to be updated tonight).”

“Hello Everyone, I'm delurking after a hiatus...

I was posting a little at the beginning of the year, but work and other training endeavors have kept me away from The Backpacker...

Two of my buddies and I finally agreed to do the JMT N-S...but we have to leave July 8.

I've read all of the posts on this thread, and I know I've posted on a few boards to some of you before...

I've never been that organized when it comes to planning these trips. My plan for this hike is to pack the usual bag. Stuff my garcia to the max with enough food to get me to VVR. Bang out 15+ miles per day.

My only concern is the weather. Anyone seen any websites out there by people who hiked this early? My two buddies are both accomplished winter mountaineers (Denali, etc.). I'm definitely the weakest link. I'm not sure how to find out what the snow is like up on some of those passes that early in the season, and if we run the risk of numerous storms...

I have seen a few NWS sites that have all the techincal snow levels, etc. but I'm not keen on interpreting them.

What would you recommend?

Thanks in advance! I wish we were leaving like you guys in August!

loungesong”

“I'm almost certain I still can't go, but it is fun to dream, so....

What's the itinerary and where would I fly into?

Long shot possibility that I could do 3 or four days, over a weekend plus a day or two.

I remember there was an issue about permits...assume I am not going. If it turns out I can go, then we'll address the permit problem.”

“Snow Nymph, I need an addy to send resupply stockpile to... probably will help wsdavies, too... So far, things are looking pretty good... my knee is doing OK, shold be fine by hike time, and ankle/arthritis issues seem to be under control. I'm trying my best to get in shape, spent the weekend in Yosemite doing some Spring touring and hiking cause I wanted to see the falls and such.

Two months from today is departure date, and I'm getting stoked!

Anyone else?

Are there any other takers out there? We got room. Biz, how close does it have to be before we hear from ya yay or nay?

C'mon people!”

“Have fun Obi Wan Canoli.....
It should be a blast!”

“Hi Obi... it's been awhile since we had the dates / details, and of course they cjange. When are you leaving & returning, & which trailheads are your entry / exit points. I guess what I'm asking for... a trail summary?”

“I thought I sent it already! Gremlins must've got it. Check your e-mail in a few minutes.”

“Wanderer, I think they're leaving on Aug 4th???

WLD and I are resupplying from Cedar Grove/Roads End (leaving Sat/Aug 10th) and meeting them at Woods Creek on Sunday, Aug 11th.”

“I'm starting to feel the trail itch myself...The Sierra Nevadas are calling..and I'm listening...That or maybe it's the cold Sierra Nevada in the fridge :)”

“SN, no addy yet... you sent it last night? I shoulda got it by now...”

“I wonder who I'm sending it to???

Is this the right one?

ObiWanCanoli@msn.com”

“That's the right addy, SN... but I haven't gotten ANYTHING from you... email-wise, I mean...”

“Just sent a test msg. Reply back.”

“Never got it, SN...”

“E-mail me Snowy and I'll e-mail Obi

one_windwalker@hotmail.com”

“Obi, got yours, did you get mine? Might have to go thru Windwalker.”

“Nope... as I said, it never arrived... what's going on? No idea WHY you can't send me an E... you got the right addy... better go through WW... (thanks mike)”

“Sent addy to WW.

Wierd, yours got to me, but I can't reply to you. You didn't do a "Block Sender" on me, did you?”

“I forwarded Snow Nymph's e-mail to you....her e-mail is working how about yours?”

“Got it... WW's E got to me...

I'll do a check, SN, see if somehow I did a block, but sure don't remember doing THAT! The joke's on me if I find that I have... I'll let ya know...

Thanks!”

“for mediation....LOL!!!”

“Christ, I had it blocked! How in the hell did THAT happen?

I found two others in there that had no business being blocked...

Dunderhead.

Sorry 'bout that, Chief.”

“I "Block" so many senders, I sometimes wonder if I blocked something that I shouldn't. I'll have to check mine too.

Glad it wasn't my e-mail!”

“heheh Classic...If it wasn't for the massive volume of spam mail..Man!!!”

“So far, so good... I decided - for a variety of reasons - to join a local health club... personal trainers, the works... they tell me they can get me in shape! LOL

Anyway, haven't se4en my doc yet, annual physical coming up, and appt. with arthritis doc, too... need both their OK's, but arthritis doc says he may not hve good news... in a manner of speaking...

My condition is escalating, according to the blood studies... Doc suggested alternate therapy which may include daily injections and/or IV infusion. This isn't happy news, I'm afraid. Such treatment is 99.9% effective, but costly. More specifically, it would, of course, preclude my being away for more than a day.

Damn.

It ain't over yet, though... so far, this therapy hasn't started, but will keep you posted on progress, and doc's recommendations. Keep a good thought...

On the up side, I bought some new gear. Needed something to perk me up.”

“Hope you get better by August.”

“Hope it works out for you Obi Wan. You've got your heart in this trip. That's obvious.

Your health and well being comes first.”

“Thanks, TD...

Well, I've started some more-than-your-average-bear training... I recently joined a local health club, and have enlisted the help of a personal trainer. He's aware of the limitations I've noted here, and said he can easily work around them to develop a style that will allow me to better navigate this hike I've been planning on.

For the moment, I'm still assuming I'm going, and have been "training" 3-4 days a week, a schedule I'll maintain until departure. I need to get SN my resupply, so if you're out there hon, it's a-comin'...

Anyone change their minds and decide to accompany us?”

“We're leaving on July 11th, so if we don't get it by then, it'll sit in the post office til Aug 6th!”

“I feel pretty good today... another session at the health club, and I can feel the muscles as if they were saying "hey, this ain't all that bad... in fact, it feels pretty good... can we have more?"

So, I'll continue with the regimen.

I think I've figured out some of the logistics of getting to and fro the TH... Steve, I'm sending an E to ya with some info. I got tonight, and will check out/confirm by Friday...”

“I broke down (truer words were never spoken) and ordered my Bearikade today... I got the Weekender (650 c.i.) figuring I wouldn't need anything larger than that (no doubt, I'll soon be proven wrong on this brilliant deduction)...

I was wondering... has anyone got both the Bearikade and the Garcia Bearcan, and if so, compared them side by side? I know that the Bearikade weighs in about a pound less, and is 10" long by 9" wide...”

“I recently bought the weekender. Check out the difference...
Bearcans”

“Bearcans side by side

Wider is better :)”

“... but now I'm wondering if it will fit well in my Packlite Backcountry? The Bearikade is clearly shorter, and, since my Garcia fits in my pack best if it's on its side, that's a good thing. My concern is that its wider girth may result in too snug a fit. I don't THINK it will, it's not THAT much difference, but I'll know in a few days, after it arrives.

BTW, I think I've worked out the transportation logistics. Seems Amtrak has a BUS service, too... for the trip home, they have a bus from Yosemite Valley to train station in Merced, then a train up to Martinez, then a Bus back to Napa for $60. Sure solves a lot of problems there, as I don't have to impose on friends very much at all. Of course, getting from Lone Pine to Yo Valley SHOULDN'T be a problem, however...”

“Obi,

If you hitch then I don't think Lone Pine to Mammoth is a big deal. There's that VIA/YARTS bus from there. --That's my plan anyways.”

“Looks like I'll be about a week ahead of you. I'll be with a group of four others. Leaving the 27th now. 23 days.

FIVE resupply points and shared weight. YEAH!!

Kind of concerned about my right knee. And wsdavies now has me freaked over Mather pass. My left quad going to cramp up, I just know it.

Maybe I'll see ya out there.”

“Obi, got the food cache. I'll pick up the fuel after we get back (Aug 6th). See you on the 10th!”

“Glad to know it made it to you, safe & sound... I'd be interested to know how the contents compare with what YOU might do instead... curious, anyway.

Looks like Steve may have a friend or two considering doing the same thing you are, probably from Bubbs Creek. They might join us for the duration, so he'll most likely rely on them for re-supply. Personally, I was looking for an excuse to motivate you to come in from the West!

Bearikade should arrive soon, too!”

“Time to bring this thread back to the top... we leave in 13 days. Actually, I leave in 11, but that's just to get to Fresno, spend the night, and, presumably, head to the trailhead the next day. Then, a night at altitude to get acclimated, then we're hoofin'.

Despite a permit for 6, there's just two of us starting - me and wsdavies. Perhaps might get lucky and meet Cal and oGregOn early on, Snow Nymph on or about the 11th, and perhaps be joined by friends resupplying Steve somewhere along the way. IF anyone's interested in last minute decision making, speak soon, or forever hold your boots.

I ordered my Bearikade July 6th, but parts supply has them a little frazzled. They sure are efficient, though - I've received two emails from a company rep that promise to hand deliver to the post office, if need be. Good people. They know my target date, so they're working on getting it to me ASAP. I'm told they make the cans in lots of 30, but the metal rings which the lids fit within are done in lots of 200... hmmm... I'm sure it will get here in time, and hope it does... it'll save over a pound of weight.

Right now, am finishing up some food/dehydrating items (check my breakfast thread), and have gear and such all over the floor, kitchen, counters... it's a good thing I'm not married, or I WOULDN'T be for long, considering the organization around here...

Transportation issues appear to have been all worked out, too. I was surprised to find that Amtrak has a bus station in my town that'll take me to the train station. From there, it's 3 hours to Fresno, where I'll be picked up and transported to the TH. On the return, I can catch a train out of Bakersfield all the way back to where I started. Total cost: $79

Better than inconveniencing anyone. And a cheap solution.”

“Where are you starting at and how are you getting to the trailhead?

I'm wondering because I'm looking at doing a High Sierra Trail trip next year.”

“We're starting at the Bear Diversion Dam trailhead. It's located just SE of the southwestern tip of Edison Lake, and a couple miles east of Mono Hot Springs. ENE of Fresno.

While there are a few (and expensive) services that'll take you to the TH, I'm being picked up in Fresno (right, Steve?).

If you're planning on the High Sierra Trail (HST), that starts a good distance south of where we enter. In fact, we should cross the JMT/HST trail junction sometime about day 10-11.”

“We're leaving Saturday for an attempt at the full thru-hike in 23 days. That's about 9.6521739130434782608695652173913 miles per day, average.

There are 30 rolls of slide film and yet another camera ready to go. Pack weight is so far at about 27lbs.

Five resupply points ready to go. Tuolumne, Red's, Vermillion, Kearsarge, and Le Conte Canyon.

LOTS of pain meds, knee brace, and fishin' pole are all packed. Phone batteries fully charged to call in and check on the kiddies as often as possible.

They say these kinds of trips change you. It'll be great to clear the head and refocus.

I love my wife and I'm going to think of a way to return the gift ten times over.”

“Have a great trek folks! I know I will! Would anyone mind burying extra cigarettes along the trail for me? You know, under a rock next to a tree.”

“Thanks. I was just wondering who offers trailhead service and how much.”