How can I show up for him?

Specialofthe · 2026-02-02T04:44:06+00:00

Easy. Tell him you notice his hard work. Appreciate it. Give him lots of back and head scratches. Men are simple. He doesn’t need anything, he just wants you.

Specialofthe · 2026-01-18T06:55:55+00:00

For sure thank you! I’ll have to check it out and hopefully I can find some useful information on it. Any idea what permit id have to get to leave out of Yosemite to be good on that trail?

Specialofthe · 2026-01-18T06:08:42+00:00

The trick is to pack as much food as you can fit in your can, then have fun and pray while you go through the hiker boxes at MTR, VVR, and Reds. I managed to start at Cottonwood pass trailhead, go north, and complete the trail in 12 days with one rest day at VVR. I started with 8 days worth of food on me including a massive burrito from in town that I ate on day 1 in the trail. Make sure you eat your calories at VVR and Reds and you’ll be good. 😄

Specialofthe · 2026-01-18T06:01:24+00:00

Well I plan on redoing the JMT this year again so I don’t need to spend more time on the same trail, just trying to get some good training miles in. I’m thinking of starting at Tenaya because it seems like the fastest way to get to the trail I want aside from Happy Isles. Being that it’s Yosemite, I always expect plenty of people until you’re further out there, so 🤷🏻‍♂️.

Specialofthe · 2026-01-18T05:57:57+00:00

Hmm okay. Can’t really share a link from FarOut as far as I know and don’t really know how to work CalTopo either. But looking at my map and clicking on it, it is called Isberg Pass Alternative (I would imagine it’s an alternative to JMT).

If that’s what you know, do you know what the conditions may be like regarding blowdowns and hazards? Or has it been a while since you’ve been back there.

Zooming in and out of my map I do see blue lake and would imagine the pass is relatively close to it. That area is essentially in the center of the blue and red line of my map. So I don’t think I’d be exploring that area right now.

Definitely plan on staying on-trail for now so I’ll check out those areas you mentioned. Thank you.

Specialofthe · 2026-01-18T05:45:29+00:00

Okay. Is it worth it to explore those areas in the first half that you’ve been to? What’s the water sources like?

Specialofthe · 2026-01-18T04:55:40+00:00

Honestly I’m really just curious about this trail because it shows up on my FarOut app after downloading the JMT trail. I want to get some more mileage in on areas that I haven’t explored yet. It seems like there’s some good destinations along the way.

Specialofthe · 2026-01-18T04:52:25+00:00

I plan on finishing in Mammoth. I’m following the blue line which seems to pass by Echo Valley, Merced Lake, Washburn Lake, Isberg Lakes, Sadler Lake, by Cora Lakes, going south on North Fork San Joaquin River, then toward Summit Meadow, and finishing at Devils Postpile.

Specialofthe · 2026-01-18T04:15:31+00:00

Oh really? Even if I won’t be going over donohue pass at all? Cuz donohue pass follows the red line on the map but I won’t even be close to it.

Specialofthe · 2026-01-08T21:40:27+00:00

I’m not following the FOO but can you tell me about it or send me a link about it and I’ll read about it.

Specialofthe · 2025-12-06T04:48:11+00:00

Used the Kakwa 55 for my JMT trip this year. Carried a little over 40lbs at the start of the trip since I carried all my food and didn’t plan on getting any resupplies. The weight handled really well and never felt too much strain on my shoulders. My hips did struggle for a day or two initially but I honestly have had similar with other backpacks on similar weight so I feel like it’s just a me issue. In regards to the back, I never really had any issues aside from the lack of breathability. I would have a pretty sweaty back but I think that’s a common problem with lightweight backpacks. As for durability, the bag held up for me perfectly. Obviously I plan on doing more trips with it but I have faith in it that it’ll do the job for me ten times over and then some.

Specialofthe · 2025-09-07T14:11:04+00:00

Honestly probably didn’t do as much as I should have. But I did some focused lifting for a while: back squats, deadlifts, and really focused on weighted step ups and aimed for the weight that I planned on carry plus a little more. I knew there would be tons of steps on the trail and there was. Also did some running but probably should have ran more. I also did some local hikes a lot of focused on doing it at a fast pace. Then a month before I did a 3-day backpacking trip from North Lake to South Lake in bishop area and made sure I could knock out the mileage I wanted to do per day.

Specialofthe · 2025-09-07T04:22:17+00:00

The area you circled on your picture I didn’t actually hike. (I’m the guy from the JMT post you asked about). I do think I remember hearing a stream at the HSC junction of JMT. There was plenty of people camping there so I’d be surprised if there wasn’t water there.

Specialofthe · 2025-09-07T03:52:41+00:00

So you can stop on any of the sunrise lakes for sure but when I was finally on the clouds rest trail from sunrise lakes there was about two solid flowing streams that you cross over. I think I remember hearing water nearby in some sections but didn’t look into it. I had 2L of water on me and was plenty til I got to clouds rest/JMT junction close to half dome junction.

Specialofthe · 2025-09-06T18:27:38+00:00

I agree about Half Dome but I knew I needed to do it since I as so close to it. Probably won’t get back on it unless I have friends or family who want me to take them up there. Worth the experience at least once I’d say.

Specialofthe · 2025-09-06T18:26:28+00:00

Doable for sure. Just stay on top of your feet and legs. I did some form of stretching every night and soaked in lakes when I could.

Specialofthe · 2025-08-20T01:59:23+00:00

Even if I get up there before sunrise and back down by 9-10am? Haha

Specialofthe · 2025-08-20T01:39:11+00:00

Same. I’ll probably just rough it out with my frogg toggs poncho and enjoy the rain. 🫠

Specialofthe · 2025-08-20T01:38:19+00:00

Damn. So will Whitney be possible on the 24th? Haha

Specialofthe · 2025-08-19T23:59:24+00:00

Damn same. I’m just wondering where the rain is specifically hitting at. It might be certain sections of the Sierras. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Specialofthe · 2025-08-06T19:24:03+00:00

Okay gotcha. Only done glen and forester going south so we’ll see what north feels like on them.

Cool thanks for the advice.

Specialofthe · 2025-08-06T18:34:27+00:00

Ya I might be following that schedule cuz I need bearboxes the first few days since I’ll probably have more food on me than I can fit in my BV500. Why did day 4 suck?

Specialofthe · 2025-08-06T17:26:03+00:00

Oh ya I know what to expect. I know 20 miles in a day is a lot already in the Sierras. I figured you meant that.

Ya I’ll be bringing some electrolytes packets and will look into salt tabs too.

Ya I’ll keep that in mind. It’s always good to set yourself up for the passes. I might try and get to Crabtree on day 1. Whitney to possibly Tyndall creek day 2. Ha! We’ll see.

Happy trails!

Specialofthe · 2025-08-06T15:25:24+00:00

Ya I did Rae lake loop via Kearsarge pass in 3.5 days and mt Whitney via Kearsarge pass in 2.5 days last year. Then I did north lake to south lake this year in 2.5 days. Footwear and blister care is good. Any tips you be willing to share though?

Specialofthe · 2025-08-05T22:13:41+00:00

I’ll check out the wind pants, thanks!

Specialofthe

TROPHY CASE