Initial Thoughts

Before I post a trip report and photos I would like to offer up some thoughts.......The trip was a success. I could not have done this without the support of my family and friends. I would especially like to thank my wife. She went above and beyond to make this happen for me. I love her so much. Thank you Judy, Te Amo Mi Amor.

I completed the trip in 15 nights/16 days as planned, but that was the only thing that went as planned. I had to tweak my itinerary daily as conditions dictated. There is alot of snow and water on the trail. Trail is hard to follow in spots due to the snow. The first half of the trail was a breeze, very little snow. But the second half is another story. I read alot of reports and viewed a ton of photos from years past to get an idea what was in store for me and the trail looks nothing like anything I had read or seen so far. It may be August on the calendar, but it is still spring in the Sierra's.

Most difficult part of the trip was the mental battle. Snow, Ice, Water, Home Sick and then the straw that almost broke the camel's back......Thunderstorms. Bad T-Storms Started July 29th and got progressively worse until the apex July 31st. Lightning, Hail, Thunder and lots of Rain. I did not dry out until Tuesday August 2nd. Really was a bummer having to bed down in your tent at noon waiting out the storms.

Overall a great experience. I really want to return in a "normal" year to compare the two experiences. I thank God that I was able to safely complete the trail on time.

I again want to thank my wonderful wife. She drove all night from a conference she was attending in Anaheim Friday afternoon through Los Angeles rush hour traffic to get to the Whitney Portal trailhead. She slept in her car that night. When I was close enough on the SPOT, she hiked up to the Whitney Zone Boundary sign and waited for me. I was reunited with my loving wife at 1100 Saturday August 6th. I was completely overcome with emotion as was she. It was a genuine loving moment in our lives that I will never forget. It was very special. Gracias Mi Amor, Te Amo.

Mission Complete

I succesfully finished the JMT today around noon at Whitney Portal. Full report and photos to follow......

Here we go.......

July 17, 2011: We (Wife, Niece & Myself) leave for Yosemite this Tuesday. We are camping at Tuolomne Meadows for two nights, then move down to the valley floor Thursday. The plan is to dayhike to North Dome and Lempert Dome on Wednesday to see the grand view that is Yosemite. It will be nice to chillax a few days up there before shoving off Friday morning at 0600.

I have decided to bring my Ice Axe with me. The reports coming in from the Pacific Crest Trail Through Hikers tell a story of icy passes and wet crossings. I have waterproofed my gear and will adjust my itinerary as I go to deal with all that snow and water. Sounds like alot of the PCTers started solo, but have created unions to help eachother through the difficult sections. I hope to do the same on my journey.

Well, this is it. Wish me luck. If all goes well, next blog entry should be around August 6th :)

SPOT Link

I will have my Spot on while traveling. I will also send an okay message each night once I am safe and sound in camp. Here is the link:  http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0D9XMpBaiyhHYit7dNMd7BVfNqum9x8Tk

Re-Supply Bucket Mailed Yesterday

July 1, 2011: Mailed my re-supply bucket to the Muir Trail Ranch today. 20 Pounds of essentials and goodies for the MTR to Whitney Portal final section of the John Muir Trail. Most everything is packed and ready to go. I put my pack together with the Muir Trail Ranch Re-Supply food/rations and the packed weighed 42 pounds, not too bad for 8 days of food and junk. Should have a pack that weighs around 35 most of the trip.

 Food is labeled by day and sorted, then checked for appropriate calorie consumption, Once this is complete, all the food is sent to either the "Starting Pack", the "Tuolomne Meadow's Box" or the "Muir Trail Ranch Bucket".



It is looking like this is going to be an epic battle with the snow/melt off conditions. Record snowfall in the Sierra combined with a colder than normal Spring has wrecked havoc on the Pacific Crest Trail through hikers that have pushed on through so far. A number of the PCTer's have made it to Reds Meadow and Tuolomne Meadows and the early reports and WOW!!!!  Miles and miles of snow travel, collapsing snow bridges and  treacherous water crossings have made the going tough. But it is encouraging that someone has made it so far.

My first day on the trail is July 22nd, three weeks to go. We are having some good heat finally and I am hoping the conditions/melt off improve over the next three weeks. I am going to do my best to complete the trip as planned but safety and happiness will come first, if I have to turn back or bail early then so be it, there is always next year :)

Snowpack

May 18, 2011: It is snowing in the Sierra's today and all this week. Mammoth Mountain is reporting a record snow fall of 650" this season. The current snow is going to slow down the spring melt. Looks like the spring will be happening in the early summer. I start the JMT in eight weeks. Looks like snow on the high passes and higher than usual river crossings. These two issues will have to be dealt with carefully each day. Should be beautiful on the other hand.

Trip Itinerary (As Of March 16, 2011)

Here is the itinerary so far. Going for a middle of the road pace of 15 Nights/16 Days. I can speed up some days and slow down on others if needed. I am sure I will feel better some days and not as hot on others. I am going to bookend this wondrous trip with a climb of Half Dome on Day One and Mt. Whitney at the conclusion. I  also plan to summit Cal-Tech Peak (13,832') on Day 14 if possible.

 

Friday July 22nd: Happy Isles To Half Dome (8.4 Miles) To Clouds Rest Junction (2.5 Miles) To Camp 1.12 Along Sunrise Creek Elev. 8,540' (3.4 Miles) Total: 14.3 Miles, +6,321' 

 

Saturday July 23rd: To Sunrise (2.8 Miles), To Tuolomne Meadow (10.9 Miles) Total=13.9 Miles, +1800'

 

Sunday July 24th: To Thousand Island Lake: 19.2 Miles, +3400' 

 

Monday July 25th: To Reds Meadow: 17.2 Miles, +1850' 

 

Tuesday July 26th: To Purple Lake: 13.9 Miles, +3030' 

 

Wednesday July 27th: To Pocket Meadow: 11.8 Miles, +2170' 

 

Thursday July 28th: To Marie Lakes: 16.1 Miles, +4000'

 

Friday July 29th: To Muir Trail Ranch (7.5 Miles), To Piute Creek (4.8 Miles): Total=12.3 Miles, +800'

 

Saturday July 30th: To Sapphire Lake: 12.7 Miles, +2870'

 

Sunday July 31st: To Deer Meadow/P.C.: 18.1 Miles, +2200'

 

Monday August 1st: To Lake Marjorie: 14.8 Miles, +4250'

 

Tuesday August 2nd: To Rae Lakes: 16.5 Miles, +3100'

 

Wednesday August 3rd: To 11,230' Camp: 12.0 Miles, +3148'

 

Thursday August 4th: To Wallace Creek (Caltech Peak): 13.4 Miles, +4400'

 

Friday August 5th: To Guitar Lake: 7.5 Miles, +2100'

 

Thursday August 6th: To Mt. Whitney & Whitney Portal: 16.0 Miles, +3500' 

 

Totals=229.7 Miles, +48,939'