Current conversations with JMT hikers

Just got off the JMT.

I did see a few U/L hikers, although half of them were sectional or doing a portion of the SHR.
It was nice being the only N. bound JMT hiker. I got to see everyone passing by each day.
A lot of huge packs, but a lot of smiling people enjoying some amazing views as well.

Aaron, how was the trip? I'd love to be able to do a fastpack one day…..

Here is Aaron's trip report:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=81939

I think Aaron said it best:

>> A lot of huge packs, but a lot of smiling people enjoying some amazing views as well.

Unless they are harming themselves, you, or the environment/trail, maybe everyone should do as they prefer…

We plan to thru-hike the JMT next year, and while we may not have the smallest packs out there (not the biggest ones, either), we DO plan to have the biggest smiles…

I loved that line about the smiles…

My family remarked how happy I look in ALL my photos. I was tired, the trail kicked my out of shape flatlander buttocks, but I still can't wipe the smile off my face.

I was on the JMT July 7th to the 29th. My wife and I had a lot of ultralight gear but it was mostly a means to an end–she being a 105 pound 5'2" human, I had to carry the majority of our shared gear and food to make it a comfortable adventure for her. In addition, we carried quite a bit of photography equipment, tenkara, and some other comfort items like a frying pan and mugs. So I was the human on the trail with the cuben fiber ULA Circuit with 30+ pounds in it. : )

Many folks I ran in to had a few elements of UL gear but hadn't fully made the transition. I fielded a lot of questions about my pack, our trailstar, and the tenkara set up, and it seemed like younger people are interested and fundamentally heading the direction of lighter packs. They just may not have fully transitioned.