Amber Monforte on the JMT

Amber Trip Report Part 1

Great job Amber !! I am amazed how quickly all the FKTers this year put out a trip report after such a grueling go at it. It would probably take me a month. from her list, Amber seems to be the only one in recent memory (not just this year) who actually carried a bear can on their FKT effort.

"from her list, Amber seems to be the only one in recent memory (not just this year) who actually carried a bear can on their FKT effort." Didn't Ralph carry a bear can last year?

Yes, I did. I wasn't planning to try to set an FKT when I set out, so I wasn't worried about saving every last ounce, or having a pack that would be comfortable for running. There really wasn't any recognized SOBO FKT, and I was just trying to go under 6 days a personal challenge. (In the end, I went quick enough that it was worth recording as an FKT, although of course it's still soft compared to the "real" NOBO record. In fact, Kurt already effectively went about 8 hours quicker last year SOBO, but had to reroute around the Yosemite fire.) A bearcan does gives you a lot more flexibility, especially in the northern part – without it, you are quite restricted on where you can sleep. I think if you're going for the ~3-day record, it's much better without a bearcan – not just for the weight saving, but because you need your pack to sit comfortably when you're moving fast. It does mean that you have to plan your sleep locations carefully – but it makes sense to do that anyway. I think it's best to sleep low, and ideally you want optimize what trail sections you will be covering in the dark. I think the best first night location is Woods Creek (low elevation, bear box); then either Piute Bridge or Bear Creek (you have to hang); then it MUST be either Red's or Tuolumne for a third night's sleep, there's nowhere else legal. I think, incidentally, that it would make sense for FKT attempts to route past the Red's campground and then cross the river by Devil's Postpile, since the campground has bear boxes. I believe this was (approximately) the original JMT route through the Red's area, and it's exactly the same distance as the current official JMT through there. ETA: Kurt Achtenhagen also carried a bearcan when he went SOBO last year and (I think) on his NOBO attempt this year.

Very nice! Enjoyed the first installment of her trip report. Pretty impressive she got all her gear into a 20l pack, especially considering she was carrying a bear can.

Way to go. This human being must have some lungs (from the looks of her first trip report she sure has some quads). I think the Fast Pack 20 is a bit more than 20L if you use all its space.

Amber’s complete trip report is now here Fantastic effort Amber, congratulations.

great report and such an impressive push through several low (low) points!