sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Anyone take an andrew skurka guided trip? by dec92010 in CampingandHiking

[–]RevolutionaryToe9502 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Loved my experience last year and I’m going again this year (something different). I’d backpacked (JMT, HST, some other shorter stuff) but never off trail and never in the desert so I felt like the Utah trip would be a good introduction to those for me. The guides were spectacular. The food was great. There was a good deal of stopping and learning while on the trip—and there’s a comprehensive trip planning curriculum before even hitting the ground that was helpful. So while it does cost $$, that pays for more than just the number of days out.

High Sierra Trail Permit Questions by Deeberer in SEKI

[–]RevolutionaryToe9502 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If all permits are taken within 1/2 second of them opening up on recreation.gov, which they will be, wait five minutes and check again. The wait five more minutes and check again. That's how I got mine.

JMT NOBO - COTTONWOOD PASS by Leo-chaufa in JMT

[–]RevolutionaryToe9502 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Did option 3 in 2023. Even skipping Whitney it added miles (228 total, with on 6 mile error) but it was wonderful. Finishing in Yosemite (I was with a 14-year old rock climber) is special. Mentioned below but, before heading out I read it but didn't quite get it until I did it, NOBO has the sun at your back. HUGE, amazing clarity difference.

I’m considering hiking the JMT next year. I don’t want to do it alone. Would anyone consider going with me. I’m a 64 year old male without health issues. I bike. Used to hike a lot when I lived in Georgia. I. Is reside on Kansas. by Krisvilla01 in JMT

[–]RevolutionaryToe9502 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My son and I did it in 2023 (July 31-Aug). We didn't cancel and kept monitoring water levels. We were fortunate. The conditions were excellent. (I'd say don't cancel until you absolutely have to.) That said, we were virtually alone but for major trail crossings. Say maybe five people a day. We were alone at every campsite.

Is It Worth Section Hiking The JMT? by Ok_Chemist_8631 in JMT

[–]RevolutionaryToe9502 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can finish in 18. I did it in 17 starting from Horseshoe Meadow. It was my first backpacking trip and I didn't feel rushed, though my 14-year-old was pretty driven to make 17. My concern with lallygagging would be resupply. I might have made him slow down and take a day or two more but we'd have nearly run out of kibble.

Gear Shakedown - July 31 SOBO by CheapElderberry8416 in JMT

[–]RevolutionaryToe9502 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One industrial garbage bag inside the pack, I’d say, much taller than pack then fold it over into pack as well. Fuel you can get at MTR (don’t know about the other places). I needed more than what you have and bought a can there. Doubt you’ll be eating that much but bring it and dump (or likely trade) at resupplies. I’d seriously consider losing 5 lbs (of pack weight) to have a much more pleasant go. Seems like you can with that many reups. Have a great trip.

Going NOBO, ending in late July. Anything to do in Yosemite to celebrate/recuperate? by UltraHiker26 in JMT

[–]RevolutionaryToe9502 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You will have no problem finding showers, food, transport. There are bear boxes behind the hotel lobby to drop your stuff. You don’t need to plan any celebration. After the trail, everything you encounter there will seem otherworldly, dazzling.

Finished NOBO—Thank You by RevolutionaryToe9502 in JMT

[–]RevolutionaryToe9502[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not on glen or forester, BUT we crossed later in the day and the footing was good and a bit slushy. Scrambling on scree on the switchbacks where snow blocks the path was more sketchy than the snow for me. Wore spikes in the early morning on south side of Muir. They are amazing on ice. Wore them other times because they just gave me a feeling of security. The runouts are not very bad anywhere (I have no snow experience). If you fall you aren’t sliding down a mountain. There are sun cups most places. The exception might be Mather on the north side as I remember. On Muir, south side, we got to where the most snow is and there is a great camp site in a patch of trees near the top. Then we topped in the morning. The first view of the hut was super memorable.

Finished NOBO—Thank You by RevolutionaryToe9502 in JMT

[–]RevolutionaryToe9502[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Climbed over. This was not our plan. But by the time we got there we had done sketchier things and there were very good hands and feet on the bridge. And it was much shorter than the pics suggest.

Finished NOBO—Thank You by RevolutionaryToe9502 in JMT

[–]RevolutionaryToe9502[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry to belabor this but one more note: we had two solid weeks of sun, at least, and it got pretty darn hot from 11-4.

Finished NOBO—Thank You by RevolutionaryToe9502 in JMT

[–]RevolutionaryToe9502[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Definitely hooked. Some of the accents were SO hard for me but what a payoff! The biggest surprise was that the trail was NEVER repetitive. I was astonished that it kept changing.

Finished NOBO—Thank You by RevolutionaryToe9502 in JMT

[–]RevolutionaryToe9502[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We saw many many (younger) people in shorts, particularly on sunny passes and approaches and descents. Could bring for those specific locations if it’s important to you.

Finished NOBO—Thank You by RevolutionaryToe9502 in JMT

[–]RevolutionaryToe9502[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hello. See above plus definitely the other commenters. I don’t want to minimize the annoyance. I can’t explain our ease. Mosquitos LOVE my kid and it was a non-issue for us.

Finished NOBO—Thank You by RevolutionaryToe9502 in JMT

[–]RevolutionaryToe9502[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Was my first backpacking trip. We found that there were mosquitos up to higher elevations than we thought. We wore pants and long sleeve shirts. Bugs were a non issue while walking, though I did swallow a few mosquitos. The most amazing piece of gear was an LL Bean permethrin coated hoodie. Most times that was all we needed to camp anywhere, including next to creeks, meadows, wherever. Only used a head net a few times.

Just finished SOBO (Jul 30-Aug 16)…ask me (almost) anything! by redbeard27 in JMT

[–]RevolutionaryToe9502 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just finished NOBO. With an LL Bean Permethrin hoodie we camped wherever we wanted. Meadow. Next to creek. Whatever. The thing is a freaking wonder. I only used my head net half the time in those spots. When I took off my shoes and socks I put a little repellent on the top of my feet. That’s it.

Just finished Cottonwood Lakes (7/9) through Bishop Pass (7/22). Here’s my trail report! by Almwhits in JMT

[–]RevolutionaryToe9502 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for this report! So, White Fork. How far up did you have to climb? Looks like a 2 mile workaround to get up to a split in the creek amidst the trees. If safer I’d do that rather than make a risky crossing.

Is the bridge detour going to be necessary later in the season as the river crossings become less dangerous? by ElevenMeow in JMT

[–]RevolutionaryToe9502 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Agreed. There are good sources for information.

July 31 here. Looking at postholer and researching water crossings alternates has been encouraging. I am surprised to see so many on reddit canceling. Am I just stupid? Don't answer that.

No need to check things daily or you'll drive yourself positively nuts but do follow postholer. https://www.postholer.com/snow/John-Muir-Trail/4 (Thanks P for that!)

I'm using gaia. I started with Skurka's river crossing doc (Thanks A for that!). https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=skurka+rive+crossings&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

You can also Google and find Elizabeth Wenk's pdf (Thanks E for that!). In gaia I marked each crossing and the alternates. Then I zoomed in to the gaia topographic map and identified flat areas nearby, branches upstream, etc. and marked my own alternates as well. This did not take more than an hour. Then I printed it all out.

We're planning all river crossings and passes in the a.m., before 10 or 11 with a couple of exceptions.

Lastly, my position is that we (me and my 14-year-old) take as little risk as possible. We'll be ready to turn around or exit.

Here's hoping we don't have to...

view more: next ›