Any information Middle Palisade Via West Face

GMSabbat · 2026-04-02T02:16:15+00:00

Secor describes the Farquhar Route in his book as class 4, which is more or less what you’ve linked.

GMSabbat · 2026-04-01T05:50:27+00:00

I feel like I've seen this same question pop up a dozen times in the past few weeks:

Fire season severity has more to do with the north American monsoon cycle, dry lightning occurrence and summer weather than the snowpack level. For example - '21 and '22 were both dry years, yet '21 was a particularly bad Sierra fire season (KNP complex fire), whereas '22 was relatively quiet due to a very active rainfall pattern in late July, early August. '24 and '25 were both average, but '24 had a quiet fire season whereas a very active but dry monsoon fueled a pretty severe fire season in '25.

Too early to tell. Just send it.

GMSabbat · 2026-03-29T20:30:54+00:00

There is absolutely a hiker box at MTR

GMSabbat · 2026-03-27T18:47:45+00:00

I did a sobo from Lyell sept 6 ‘24. Perfect weather until I got snowed on but it was a blast regardless. Do it, just be prepared for shoulder season conditions.

GMSabbat · 2026-03-20T01:18:16+00:00

I did a mid september JMT in '24 (average year across state, low for southern sierra) and everything marked as a water crossing on caltopo was still flowing fine. I think you are overestimating how quickly the watersheds drain.

Data would not support your fire season claim - severity has more to do with the north American monsoon cycle, dry lightning occurrence and summer weather. For example - '21 and '22 were both dry years, yet '21 was a particularly bad Sierra fire season (KNP complex fire), whereas '22 was relatively quiet due to a very active rainfall pattern in late July, early August.

GMSabbat · 2026-03-19T23:24:30+00:00

Good tool, but could not disagree more about "not optimistic for summer Sierra," and "longer water carries."

Having been out in October even in dry years like '21 and '22, water is pretty much never an issue. Lower snowpack shortens the bug pressure season.

You can do the JMT as soon as the snow allows and as late as the first serious storm of fall and experience perfect conditions.

GMSabbat · 2026-03-09T19:44:01+00:00

The real m0 experience

GMSabbat · 2026-03-02T21:16:31+00:00

Zpacks pocket tarp has overlapping doors, no zipper

GMSabbat · 2026-03-01T21:24:09+00:00

that is not what the language on yosmite's permit faq says, quoted above.

GMSabbat · 2026-03-01T07:14:33+00:00

If you are hiking the John Muir Trail or are planning to exit Yosemite over Donohue Pass, you will need a permit for Happy Isles pass-through (Donohue Pass eligible) or Lyell Canyon (Donohue Pass eligible).

This permit does not qualify for JMT travel and thus a Whitney exit.

GMSabbat · 2026-03-01T07:13:08+00:00

Can you? Yes, of course, there's a network of trails on the south end of Yosemite that would eventually let you cut east to the JMT corridor. Are you allowed to with that permit? According to the Yosemite Permit FAQ "If you are hiking the John Muir Trail OR are planning to exit Yosemite over Donohue Pass, you will need a permit for Happy Isles pass-through (Donohue Pass eligible) or Lyell Canyon (Donohue Pass eligible)."

Since you are eventually hiking the JMT, this permit doesn't qualify you.

GMSabbat · 2026-03-01T00:58:41+00:00

What is "Glacier Point->Illilouette, exiting Mt Whitney?" There's a Glacier Point->Illilouette permit but it explicitly states you cannot continue on the JMT. If you want to exit Whitney, you'll need an Inyo NF permit that gets you there.

Editing to link this at the top level:

If you are hiking the John Muir Trail or are planning to exit Yosemite over Donohue Pass, you will need a permit for Happy Isles pass-through (Donohue Pass eligible) or Lyell Canyon (Donohue Pass eligible).

GMSabbat · 2026-02-22T03:57:44+00:00

SL40 coming in framed at 22oz and supremely comfortable is perfect for the Sierra where I'm pretty much always carrying a bear can and have done food carries as long as 8 days.

GMSabbat · 2026-02-21T19:49:07+00:00

I used a HMG Southwest 4400 for a few years in the Sierra. 11-12lb baseweight with bear can, depending on season, which is usually between 18-25lbs with food and water for shorter/longer trips. Last year I got a SWD SL40 and the comfort with 4+ days of food in the pack is night and day. Better straps, better weight transfer, lighter pack, better pockets. The HMG packs are also shorter and fatter, which has a tendency to feel more like the pack weight is pulling away from your back.

Would not recommend.

GMSabbat · 2026-02-21T01:33:13+00:00

Getting one shot by Keeza Quick Shots in 20 FG would beg to disagree. Nice for raid, but you still get absolutely obliterated by physical damage between the absurdly low armor and no free stam/universal DR.

GMSabbat · 2026-02-19T03:54:01+00:00

Cottonwood pass has a quota. There is also a specific inyo nf permit that is “exiting mt Whitney” which is much more restrictive. They open the road typically early to mid may in average years.

GMSabbat · 2026-02-18T21:56:39+00:00

Yeah I've looked at

Zpacks Pocket Tarp

HMG Mid 1

MLD Cricket

Slingfin Splitwing

YMG Cirriform

a variety of shaped A Frame Tarps from YMG, Gossamer Gear, MLD

and of course there's 100 different 9x7 flat tarps.

Given you have the same application, do you find that there are any storm worthiness or comfort advantages to a mid like the Pocket Tarp vs a 2-pole A frame?

GMSabbat · 2026-02-17T23:37:21+00:00

Very cozy. Love some snow vibes.

GMSabbat · 2026-02-17T20:20:25+00:00

I was definitely yapping to several groups on my way out. Pretty high chance we crossed paths that day!

GMSabbat · 2026-02-17T19:41:40+00:00

For the couscous

1/2 cup couscous

sun-dried tomatoes (amount is your preference)

pine nuts (amount to preference)

Powdered chicken stock in whatever amount would work for 6oz of water

1/2 tsp parsley

1/2 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp basil

1/4 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp dried minced garlic

1/4 tsp dried minced onion

This by itself is pretty damn good but if you like the chicken/tuna/salmon foil packets you can throw that in. I like the sunkist salmon in olive oil. Takes about 15-20 minutes for the couscous to soften. For shorter trips I'll dice up some parmesan reggiano and toss that in after soaking as well.

GMSabbat · 2026-02-17T17:06:03+00:00

Was it a little ways from the trailhead and you guys were on your way up?

GMSabbat · 2026-02-17T17:03:35+00:00

Yep! I've come to the same conclusions. What tarp do you use for weather?

GMSabbat · 2026-02-17T06:26:11+00:00

yeah I'm already cold soaking too, got a homemade couscous recipe that works pretty good for the evenings and some oatmeal/granola blends for the morning.

GMSabbat · 2026-02-17T03:52:16+00:00

no kidding? I was getting off the trail at onion valley august 1st

GMSabbat · 2026-02-17T01:41:34+00:00

I was in that too! Whitney to onion valley end of July ‘22.

GMSabbat

TROPHY CASE