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hossjulia
Social climber
Eastside (of the Tetons)
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jun 22, 2012 - 12:58pm PT
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If everything works out like it feels it might, I plan on hiking the John Muir this summer. Now, I want to be solo on much of it, especially the first couple of weeks. I will be painfully slow for the first 3 weeks or so, a knee is toast and I have to go slow or I'll never make it. But it sure would be nice to meet up with folks (think RE-SUPPLY!) for some of the southern portions, say Bishop Pass south.
Tentatively, I plan on leaving Tuolumne in 2 weeks, and taking a week to get to Red's Meadows, then another week or so to the base of McGee Pass. With this atrophied leg, I plan on 6-10 miles a day and every other day off for the first 2 weeks. Depending on how that goes, I should be able to ramp it up to 10 miles a day average.
I'm thinking 4-6 weeks total. I'll have the funds to buy food and send it ahead, but not sure the best way to re-supply without hiking in and out.
Suggestions, thoughts? (I already know I'm gunna die, thanks.)
I'm calling this the David Springer memorial hike, for my late son. We had plans to do this in 2010, but he left before we could get it done. It has been on my mind ever since, but especially in the past couple of months. Then I managed to get myself fired, and it was the first thing that popped into my head. In fact, it's the first thing that has gotten me fired up in a loong time, so I gotta do it.
Join me!
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pc
climber
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Jun 22, 2012 - 01:22pm PT
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Sounds like a great trip! And a great way to celebrate your son. My pop and I did portions of it when I was a kid. Now I think of him everytime I'm in the Sierra.
Wish I could help you out but I'll be elsewhere this summer.
Big cheers,
pc
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rocknpow
Boulder climber
eastside
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Jun 22, 2012 - 01:54pm PT
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I could hike some food/treats over Kearsage Pass.....or anywhere else that may be conveinent. I think this is an awesome idea!
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hossjulia
Social climber
Eastside (of the Tetons)
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 23, 2012 - 12:30pm PT
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I'll post particulars when I have them, thanks for the offers! I'll need the help & company.
What do folks know about getting a permit for Whitney at Crabtree Meadows?
Since it might be impossible for me to pick an exact date, I am hesitant to sign up for a permit in advance. I guess I could always see what is available and go from there.
Also, any beta on re-supplying at Lake Thomas Edison? I'll look into it of course, but any personal advice would be welcomed.
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Jun 23, 2012 - 12:37pm PT
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Julia, there's a list of 'standard' PCT resupply points at http://postholer.com/databook/resupply.php Oriented toward places with USPS or UPS delivery, so if you have friends who can schlep stuff in for you, not exclusive.
That site may have other useful information if you poke around.
Have a good trip, and a little TR after would be OK, too! God tur!
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Adamame
climber
Santa Cruz
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Jun 23, 2012 - 03:54pm PT
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Your permit from Yosemite will allow you to exit Whitney when you want. I used to issue permits in Yose and the staff there knows that you can't pinpoint your exact exit date 4-6 weeks in advance. You don't need to pick up a permit at Crabtree and I don't believe they even issue permits there.
Have fun out there. With that much time you will surely discover some really amazing spots along the way. And you will make friends with some great folks too. You wont be alone if you don't want to be.
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Jun 23, 2012 - 06:44pm PT
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I've only done one Muir Trail trip, and that was with my late, first wife Catherine in 1969. It was one of the highlights of her life. We went from South Lake to Lone Pine, and out over Kearsarge Pass. Spectacular scenery, and not-too-difficult hiking.
You really need to do this trip, Julia! I hope you can get some support.
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Kalimon
Trad climber
Ridgway, CO
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Jun 23, 2012 - 06:50pm PT
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Mr. hoss . . . good on you for getting your heart and motivation in order to honor your son. So sorry for your loss.
Nothing like Sierra backpacking to heal the soul.
Go do this thing!
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rnevius
Trad climber
San Luis Obispo, CA
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Jun 23, 2012 - 08:38pm PT
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I've done the trail from North to South a couple of times. Send me a message and I'll send some info I have your way. I'd also be willing to hike in and resupply you wherever you need.
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ms55401
Trad climber
minneapolis, mn
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Jun 23, 2012 - 08:45pm PT
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the High Route is a sweet jaunt. Haven't done it all (maybe 30% of it), but so much better than the JMT.
Not that the JMT is a bad outing. Far from it.
Amazingly, I met folks on the High Route. We were all surprised.
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johntp
Trad climber
socal
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Jun 23, 2012 - 09:36pm PT
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Hey Julia, check out trailjournals.com
They have a JMT section which will give you some good beta from other hiker's journals.
Go for it and take your time to smell the roses as it were. Can't help you with bringing in a resupply but will support those that can. The offer to hump a load over Kearsarge would be a good one to follow up on.
Peace
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Gorgeous George
Trad climber
Los Angeles, California
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Jun 23, 2012 - 11:39pm PT
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Julia,
Just read "Wild" by Cheryl Strayed, it was a wildly profound read. She reached deep inside to understand her sentiments for hiking the PCT in 120 days, mostly solo. I found her insight to be very inspiring and am toying with the idea myself.
I highly recommend it, devoured it in a couple of days. Good luck and keep posting details and approximate schedule. I'd like to help if possible.
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hossjulia
Social climber
Eastside (of the Tetons)
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 26, 2012 - 11:53am PT
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So happy to see the offers of help and well-wishes here, thank you all.
Any one who wants to hike in and meet me, please send me a PM.
I just ordered a bunch of dehydrated food from Harmony House. After doing research for 3 days, and making a very successful sample dish last night, I decided to make up my own meals. Looks like I'll be going all veggie, with TVP beef & chicken, lentils, rice and veggies. I'll still get some freeze-dried breakfast skillet, I love that stuff! To save cooking and fuel, I'll just pre-soak for part of the day.
I have my own curry I make that is heavy in turmeric, good stuff. Now I need to find some dehydrated cheese, maybe just use Parmesan.
The planning for this has been all-consuming. I guess I'm really committed now!
Been getting Hyralonic acid injections in the knee, last one is Friday. It feels 50% better today after the 2nd injection. Another training hike today. Blood work tomorrow, just to make sure I can handle the Ibu, among other things.
I pumped, amped, stoked, whatever, I'm ready!
Back to shopping. Boots & socks, Steripen and backpack poncho, small containers, batteries, sunscreen...............
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Seamstress
Trad climber
Yacolt, WA
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Jun 26, 2012 - 12:29pm PT
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My husband and I are going to be out there for a week at the end of july. He'll want a day off of climbing, so we may be able to hike some supplies into you. If you have a scheudle tentatively, I'll do some research.
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hossjulia
Social climber
Eastside (of the Tetons)
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 26, 2012 - 12:48pm PT
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Seamstress and others, my tentative schedule is this;
July 7 latest, depart Tuolumne, 1 week to Red's & re-supply.
July 21 latest, Vermillion Resort to re-supply.
But I would like to avoid hitting those places on a weekend, so we'll see.
After that? Who knows, I'm open to suggestions. 5-6 weeks total to Whitney is my best guess, but could go 4 weeks if the knee and bod really hold up well.
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Seamstress
Trad climber
Yacolt, WA
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Jun 26, 2012 - 03:02pm PT
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Researching the resupply points below Vermillion as that is a very long drive from the East Side.
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Jun 26, 2012 - 04:45pm PT
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To judge from posts to 2012 Pacific Crest Trail blogs, the windthrow has now mostly been cleared from that trail. By the time Julia starts, there should be up to date information on the situation.
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Nibs
Trad climber
Humboldt, CA
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Jun 26, 2012 - 05:16pm PT
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Hoss:
Recommend the John Muir Ranch for resupply over Vermilion Lake for many reasons. First, because the Muir Ranch people are really cool when we did the trip in '07. The feedback from others that year was that the folks running the store at Vermilion were "jerks." Their words I just quote. Whereas the Muir Ranch folks had resupply totally wired keeping the resupply data on a laptop database- added bonus are the hot springs near the ranch. Muir Ranch is adjacent to the JMT and Vermillion requires a boat taxi or long hike.
If your knee improves as you go (which did happen for me), highly recommend joining the High Route from LeConte Canyon to the Palisade Lakes. There was a big burn in the Deer Meadow/Palisade Creek area that was not pleasant to hike through and I had been looking forward to camping there too. You miss the Golden Staircase, instead you get the Barrett Lakes. Plus the High Route places you in Dusy Basin closer to a Bishop Pass food drop.
We are missing our annual "August in Yosemite/High Sierra" this year so PLEASE post a TR when you get back. I have made the trek a few times, usually getting off trail as much as possible. We did the trip in '07 to mark the event of my best friend Finally moving in with me. She moved in, a week later we were on the JMT for 4+ weeks! That trip we stayed faithfully on the trail – it can be a highway at times, but overall a great trip.
Psyched for you!!
Edit: a plus for Vermilion - it's a store with beer...not so at JM Ranch. However, we included beer in our resupply to compensate.
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Nibs
Trad climber
Humboldt, CA
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Jun 26, 2012 - 05:34pm PT
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Food - we also do most of ours from scratch now. For your curry, freeze dried coconut milk. Awesome stuff.
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hossjulia
Social climber
Eastside (of the Tetons)
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 29, 2012 - 11:06am PT
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OK, I have a firm(er) plan now. Forget starting at Tuolumne, the downed trees ARE still an issue, plus I've done part of that trail and it is too rugged for the beginning, I'd probably bail to the PCT and that's not what I want to do.
So I'll start at Red's, resupply at Vermillion, and then look for a volunteer to resupply me at the Paiute Pass trail junction. I know it's a hella hike to the JMT. After that, if folks are so inclined, it would be great to hike with people and meet people at the other trail junctions coming up out of the eastide, they are only a couple of days apart.
Muir Trail Ranch charges $55 to take your re-supply, and that is a bit too rich for me. Plus only folks staying there can have a meal there, can't afford that either. But I will check out the bins of leftovers and use the hot springs there. (And maybe see of they need some help after the students go back to school in mid-August)
Mt. Cedric Wright is at the head of the Sawmill Pass trail, and I plan on climbing that. Hopefully get Mike Wright to meet me there, I know he would love to summit that again. (Cedric's grandson)
The final big re-supply would be Kearsarge.
I'm just waiting on packages to arrive so I can make up the food packs, been breaking in a new pair of boots, and in just a week of steady training, have gotten stronger and lost 5 pounds.
Some climbing at the City next week, then hope to hit the trail by next Sunday.
So, who wants to meet me and hike part of the trail with me? We are talking July 22 or so to the first part of August.
Nibs; thanks much for the beta, I don't have the maps in front of me just now, but will take a look. I already figured out that from Vermillion, it looks to be a bit easier to hike out the Bear Creek trail and miss a steeper climb. Mileage is the same headed south weather I do that or take the boat back across. Just miss 6 miles of the JMT.
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