Partners needed for portions of the John Muir Trail

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hossjulia

Social climber

Eastside (of the Tetons)

Topic Author's Original Post - Jun 22, 2012 - 09:58am PT

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!

Silver

Big Wall climber

Nor Nev

Jun 22, 2012 - 10:18am PT

^^^^Thats the Spirit^^^^^

Yesterday is over, today is happening, and tomorrow is but a dream.

Enjoy your Hike!

climber

Jun 22, 2012 - 10:22am PT

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

rocknpow

Boulder climber

eastside

Jun 22, 2012 - 10:54am PT

I could hike some food/treats over Kearsage Pass.....or anywhere else that may be conveinent. I think this is an awesome idea!

Cragman

Trad climber

June Lake, California....via the Damascus Road

Jun 22, 2012 - 10:57am PT

hj, I'd be keen as well to hike in your re-supply.....let me know if I can help.

Cheers,
DR

hossjulia

Social climber

Eastside (of the Tetons)

Topic Author's Reply - Jun 23, 2012 - 09:30am PT

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.

Mighty Hiker

climber

Vancouver, B.C.

Jun 23, 2012 - 09:37am PT

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!

Adamame

climber

Santa Cruz

Jun 23, 2012 - 12:54pm PT

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.

Brokedownclimber

Trad climber

Douglas, WY

Jun 23, 2012 - 03:44pm PT

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.

Kalimon

Trad climber

Ridgway, CO

Jun 23, 2012 - 03:50pm PT

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!

khanom

Trad climber

The Dessert

Jun 23, 2012 - 04:21pm PT

Last time I ran into her, I'm pretty sure Julia was still female.

Anyway, it's on record here now, so no matter what you are committed to do this :) Personally I find long back country trips just the thing for whatever ails you... or doesn't.

I haven't done the JMT as a whole, but I did Roper's High Route in 2008. I found 1 cache (ssshhh) and a resupply in Mammoth to be just right. It's super easy to mail stuff in advance to the standard points (Red's Meadow, Vermillion, etc), but even so walking off trail into Mammoth isn't very far if you go over Duck Pass.

rnevius

Trad climber

San Luis Obispo, CA

Jun 23, 2012 - 05:38pm PT

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.

ms55401

Trad climber

minneapolis, mn

Jun 23, 2012 - 05:45pm PT

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.

johntp

Trad climber

socal

Jun 23, 2012 - 06:36pm PT

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

Gorgeous George

Trad climber

Los Angeles, California

Jun 23, 2012 - 08:39pm PT

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.

hossjulia

Social climber

Eastside (of the Tetons)

Topic Author's Reply - Jun 26, 2012 - 08:53am PT

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...............

Seamstress

Trad climber

Yacolt, WA

Jun 26, 2012 - 09:29am PT

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.

hossjulia

Social climber

Eastside (of the Tetons)

Topic Author's Reply - Jun 26, 2012 - 09:48am PT

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.