Gemini's JMT 07 trip plannin' thread

“here ya go, your very own thread to discuss such weighty matters as:
who will help car shuttle?
who will help with resupply?
who will hike the dam hike with her?



why do i care so much, you might ask? cause i wanna hike the last 40 or 50 miles of it and it'd be easier for me to piggyback my plans off somebody else's trip.
last edited: 12/03/06 9:40:45 PM”

“lol, good enough reason.
Jackstraw, let's plan this. you got books?
here's another link I just found [haven't really read it yet]
http://www.backpack45.com/johnmuirtrail.html
of course this one:
http://www.pcta.org/about_trail/muir/faq.asp
I have a couple really good links, but not on this computer.

I hope I still have my link to the "virtual JMT" on the other computer.

Thanks sacco
last edited: 12/03/06 9:47:46 PM”

“some of my favorite links on the jmt:

http://home.nps.gov/applications/parks/seki/ppMaps/ACF1109.pdf

http://www.catchafallingstar.com/jmt/johnmuirtrail2003.htm

http://www.backpack45.com/johnmuirtrail.html

http://sierrahiker.home.comcast.net/

http://ccwf.cc.utexas.edu/~gavenda/jmt/”

“BTW, i could help with resupply for the last few days.

right now i'm looking at coming in from the east, maybe from onion valley?”

“my favorite JMT pic:



i bet you can guess one of the reasons i wanna do the JMT so bad...


(pic courtesy of buck)
last edited: 12/03/06 9:52:58 PM”

“so you mean with some fly fishing experience we may won't need to worry about resupply? hahahaha.

I have 2 more links I like:
http://www.virtualparks.org/trips/JMT1/index.html

http://alumnus.caltech.edu/~rbell/johnmuir.htm
I still can't find my other link.”

“Hey, don't forget yer camera!!!! HAHAHAHAHA IDIOT!!!!”

“Hey Gemster!

I'm planning on doing half of that sucker with BowlderSon next summer, too! I know wannabp and landscaper are making some plans, too. I have done a fair amount of planning so far - I think I have something like 14 or 15 possible itineraries I've plotted out so far. I would be glad to coordinate in whatever way is possible.”

“What dates are you looking at?”

“i am still planning on making the JMT in '07 but am getting a considerable amount of spousal resistance. it's nothing that can't be overcome if i cough up a cruise or something. anyway i am shooting for early august right now. sounds like next summer is going to be a big tt year on the jmt.”

“My plan is for middle July. [my 13 year old son's birthday is on the 14th, and I wouldn't want to miss it] after that I am game.

I am flexible on the date though.
Bowlderman, I tried to convince my 16 year old to hike it with me, but no luck.
last edited: 12/04/06 6:08:52 AM”

“I have the National Geographic topo of the trail.I'll stop by borders books today to see what they have. I'll check out all the links today. A mid July start date would be fine.”

“another vote for mid july start- which would put an early aug grand finale, eh

gem, what are thinking, about 3 weeks to do this right?”

“yeah, 23 days. I got this schedule from Jimmy san, which he got from gforce or something like that. anyway it looked pretty good. Like jackstraw I do want a couple days to acclimatize first.”

“"right now i'm looking at coming in from the east, maybe from onion valley?”
sacco
10:46:43 PM
12/03/06

Onion Valley??
So, this is a joke, huh?”

“How many miles?

I don't know about three weeks, but I could do ten days.............maybe.

If I can't do Olympic then JMT, maybe.”

“marco, come on!! the JMT should be on top of your list. Olympic can wait until 2008”

“What, like the 2008 Olympic Games or somthing?

Grrrrrrr!!!!

Well, how many freakin' miles is it?”

“211 miles and a couple more miles.
I think this is the best info so far:
http://www.pcta.org/about_trail/muir/faq.asp
http://www.virtualparks.org/trips/JMT1/index.html
http://alumnus.caltech.edu/~rbell/johnmuir.htm

really MarcO check those links. You would love it!”

“Just tell me when and where, sugar booger.

Sacco, you gonna catch tiny fish and feed us?”

“I'm looking at starting about the first of August. We are taking a family vacation centered around a wedding in July, so won't be able to start until then. Sheesh, I'm going to be taking around 5 straight weeks off of work!”

“sugar booger??
hey Marko, no kidding now. You can't commit if you're not sure!”

“OK, so no sugar booger.

I have a huge wedding in early August.
Maybe I could join up for the last 7-10 days of this trip.
Gotta check on dates.”

“Gaby, I'm taking a big trip up north sometime around then, so I may wanna join you for a few days or so. Its still really up in the air though.
last edited: 12/04/06 9:52:47 AM”

“that would be awesome embear.”

“right now i am planning on 8/1 - 8/23/07 for my trip. i have the time off from work already.

i won't go with people i haven't hiked with several times before because of that horrible thread on the JMT bailout a while back. so i may have to go solo, which i don't have a problem with. it sounds like most people are planning on july, but i felt august was a more optimal date based on my research.

the only three things i need to work out are:

1. spousal approval and permit
2. resupply
3. shuttle (esp if I solo)

i have a friend that has offered to resupply me at at one point. spousal approval is an ongoing process. i am less concerned about working out the shuttle as long as i have time to work out what needs to be done.

the spousal approval thing is major. as a husband and father three weeks off in summer is expensive from a family perspective. that said this is pretty important to me and my wife knows this so it's a workable scenario.”

“Bring the kids with you - I am....”

“It would be nice to see a full moon on the JMT.

30 July, 2007........The Buck Moon.
Hmmmm, buck naked full moon?

Works for me!”

“you wanna see Buck naked?
why?”

“Here ya go, deer................uh, dear!

From Dictionary.com

Main Entry: buck naked
Part of Speech: adj
Definition: completely naked; also written [buck-naked]

In recent years this term, "buck naked", has been ignoramousized into, "butt naked" , which is incorrect though the two have a similar sound.
last edited: 12/04/06 11:43:22 AM”

“my first trip to the JMT won't be a kids trip.”

“I would take my 16 year old, because I really, really think he would love it; even though he don't know it yet.

Wouldnt' take my 13 year old, he's too much of wuss when it comes to stuff like that. At least for now. He does love the outdoors though, so we'll have to talk in another 3 years or so.

uhmm...marko...sure! ;-)”

“just reserved the last two weeks of July for Vacation. Approval pending : )”

“yeahhh!!!!!
jackstraw. i got tom harrison maps. they are great! you may want to check it out at tomharrisonmaps.com

i know you already have maps, but those are better :D

so jackstraw...last 2 weeks of July...you want to get this done in 2 weeks?? really? i am not sure if I am able to do that. I really want to enjoy this a little bit this time. lots of pictures,etc... I don't want to be a mature slowpoke, but I was thinking more on the line of 23 days...”

“211 miles in two weeks??

It would be nice to enjoy it and not have to hike like a maniac...........or a Bonehead like Pennsy or ENS.

You might even want to have a day of rest somewhere.

Gem, your 16 year old has the legs. I've seen him run!”

“really, every other trail on the east coast, okay...I would give it a try [after being back in shape that is], but considering the altitude, and really just wanting to enjoy this...na! 2 weeks won't really cut it.

Besides, *giggles* I thought I can hike up Forester in a couple hours, not knowing what I should've been expecting. So, I know better now!

MarkO, I am gonna show Bryan this post, maybe his ego will make him want to try it now. LOL Doubt it though. He don't see what we like about the mountains and a dead tree. LOL
last edited: 12/04/06 12:36:00 PM”

“what kind of little wussbags are you raising gem?”

“grrrr...I know...I know...”

“No , I can manipulate my work schedule around the first week of August. I really would like to aim for 21-24 days though.”

“Jack that would be perfect!! I'll send you the plan I have from JS.

I send it to you profile email addy. you got it?
last edited: 12/04/06 1:50:58 PM”

“Got it! I'll check it out. Pardon the slow response in the evenings as I am somewhat internet challenged in the evenings.”

“no worry...”

“let me know when you guys hash out your dates.

assuming you go from north to south, i would resupply you guys for the last few days/ 45 miles.

i think charlotte lake would be a good place to meet up (?)

my plan right now is to take about 8- 10 days total for my trip.

i'd fly into vegas, drive to the eastern sierras and camp out at onion valley campground for a couple days, acclimating to the elevation (onion valley is at 9,000')

then meet you guys around charlotte lake (just gimme a shopping list and i'll bring in your resupply)

then hike the last 45 miles with you guys.

then drive back to vegas.

stay in vegas another day or two, see a show, ect. these last couple days in vegas can also be used for emergency, like if we get snowed in up there for a day or two.

you guys are welcome to ride back to vegas with us. (vegas has cheapest flights if you're headed back east, rental cars, and hotels) plus, death valley NP is right on the way.
last edited: 12/04/06 3:07:28 PM”

“yo gem, is this the itinerary you're talking about?

http://www.thebackpacker.com/trips/trip/562.php

if so, then i'd be coming in day 19, following in trailtrekker's footsteps.
last edited: 12/04/06 3:19:24 PM”

“Maybe you could strap me to the roof of the car, Sacco.

Show??
No donkeys, please!”

“if'n you want, but you'd cook like a fried egg when we went thru death valley”

“yupp, that's the one. I am not sure what jackstraw has planned,hike from N to S, or vise versa? Personally I prefer N to S, but I am flexibly, whatever works best for JackStraw [if he's going]. Not sure if it's still true, but I heard a while back it's easier to get permits that starting at Yosemite. and some altitude issue should be easier to deal with I guess.

I can't find that info right now. I looked at my other computer, but it's not there. I think I had it on this computer and it was deleted after installing windows vista. crap! I had a lot of info.

I haven't worried about permits yet.

I do know either way you should get them quickly [24 weeks before you start your trip]

it would mean we would have to know when to book the flight in January of next year. we now need to hurry it up. It seams like it's still a long time from now, but it's not!”

“remember that the permit volumes at the trailheads are controlled. 40% of the permits are held for same-day or next-day departures i think. so you might start a day late of something if no permits can be had on the day you arrive. it doesn't strike me as a precise science. i don't think you can get permits this far in advance... just be careful about when you book flight dates, that's all i am saying. Start a day late end a day late.. like that. :)”

“Give me liberty or give me Death Valley!!

Day 19?

That's like, only the last four days.”

“less than 3 months to have a firm schedule in place.

Wilderness permits are required for all overnight camping outside designated campgrounds. There is an overnight camping fee of $15 for permits issued by these parks. Permits are not required for day hikes, except in the Mt Whitney area. All hikers (even day hikers) to Mt. Whitney are required to obtain a permit.

Reservations: Quotas limit the number of people entering each trailhead on a single day. In the summer, the quotas on some popular trailheads are filled. To avoid this, you can reserve a permit in advance for trips between mid-May and September. We can accept backcountry reservations for the current year no earlier than March 1 and no later than 3 weeks before the start of your trip. All reservation requests must be faxed or mailed in. We regret that we are not set up to take wilderness reservations electronically at this time. View a printable copy of the wilderness permit reservation form.

Groups are strongly recommended to use the reservation system. The maximum group size is 15 people per trailhead except for Redwood Canyon where the maximum size is 10.

http://www.nps.gov/archive/seki/bcinfo.htm”