What I’m Taking on my JMT Hike (this is how you do it)

[Aaron Sorensen]

The one thing I can say about this is that the 2 rangers I came in contact with were in areas where you can hang.
I'm pretty sure I told him I'm hanging and just hiking strait through the areas where the canisters are required.

I was also using a striped down 1200 ci pack, so it wasn't like I could hide the face that I didn't have a canister.
Both rangers did tell me the same thing though and had zero care that I didn't have one.

[Valerie E]

Aaron, I am with you that we have to remember the PURPOSE of the bear-proof container rules. If you're not going to stop and sleep in the areas where containers are required, then you're NOT required to have a container! But the rule is there to prevent bears from finding UNATTENDED food belonging to a sleeping hiker (regardless of whether the person is sleeping during the day or at night), and to discourage bears from associating "campsites" with yummy, easily-available treats. Clearly, what you are planning to do is not going to result in your food being unattended…and no bears will be harmed in the process! :~)

[Bradley Attaway]

Legal interpretation and philosophical purpose are well and good until you're dealing with the enforcement of that law, which is essentially up to the rangers. I no longer hang my hammock in SF city parks not because the law prohibits it (which it certainly does not) but because the Park Rangers will cite me regardless if I don't take it down because that's what they've been told to do.

I likewise carry a bear canister when I do to protect myself from citations much more so than bears.

Call ahead. Ask the Park Rangers if hiking straight through is adequate excuse to travel without a bear canister. If they say it is, ask to get it in writing or at least for a name that you can cite if you get hassled. The fine for not having one is pretty hefty, and they're a pain to fight even if you're in the right.

If you don't, I hope your moral victory is worth more than the fine you'll have to pay or fight ;-)

[ROBERT TANGEN]

Aaron said: “How is setting up a tent and getting in supposed to help you in lightning? You keep moving.”

Previously, Hobbes said: “…lay out a CCF pad & assume "the position" (no, not that position – the anti-lightning squat.”

Could you combine the two and assume the squat on a foam pad under a tarp or inside a tent? In both cases, the shoe soles are providing protection from a lightning hit, but with a squat, the foam pad adds another layer of protection.

[Randy Martin]

@Aaron "Have no idea why they can't make soft bottles with a wide mouth." Nalgene Canteen but reviews on REI unfortunately seem to indicate they are not very durable so maybe not the best option.

[Bob Gross]

"Have no idea why they can't make soft bottles with a wide mouth."

Because typically the seperate lid needs to be a rigid plastic because of screw threads and openings. If you put a rigid plastic lid on a soft bottle, and then if you squeeze it, the lid pops off and lands on the trail. You can beat that problem, but it requires reinforcement to the top of the bottle around the screw threads, and that adds expense to the manufacturing process.

–B.G.–

[Joshua Ellis]

LOL..I wrote a whole huge post but felt bad after reading it.

Just drink with a straw, leave the electronic bling behind along with the chargers and spare batteries and carry some painkillers so there's a reduced chance of SAR being required for an extraction.

That'll save you some weight, and yeah, it rains in September. And snows. ;-)

[Dan D]

I hope you guys know that the idea that rubber soled shoes will protect you from lightning is false.

[ROBERT TANGEN]

I wrote: "…assume the squat on a foam pad under a tarp or inside a tent? In both cases, the shoe soles are providing protection from a lightning hit, but with a squat, the foam pad adds another layer of protection." I did NOT say that shoe soles provide COMPLETE protection. Otherwise, why bother to add another layer of protection? I meant that they provide SOME protection. Being inside a fire lookout with multiple lightning rods MAY come close to complete protection. Not all hits are direct hits, and not all are totally devastating. My points are: (1) getting foam between you and the ground is better than not doing so, and, (2) why not be protected from the rain by being under a tarp or tent while you do the anti-lightning squat?

[Scott Bentz]

Aaron,

My son is planning on a 7day JMT trip and was wondering how many calories you are alloting per day. This post has been pretty helpful. What type of canister are you taking?

Thanks,

Scott

[Aaron Sorensen]

Scott,

No canister.
Here is the map of where you have to have a canister.

http://www.sierrawild.gov/bears/food-storage-map

I am going to sleep before the cut at Bubbs Creek.
And then only sleep at Reds or Tuolumne towards the end.
I'll keep all the food scent completely separate to keep the sent off the pack.

I don't really count calories, just bringing 10 pounds of high calorie food.
I'll do about 30% of my calories mixed in water with Hammer Jel Heed.
The Heed helps more with electrolytes and potassium and would rather drink some free calories even though Heed isn't that calorie dense.
If I'm going fast enough it will last to the end. If not I will resupply at Reds and/or Tuolumne.

The two things with food.
After 2 days, you cannot stomach gels, and eating solid foods like trail mix becomes really hard after a few days when you are exhausted. You have to chew each mouth full forever to get it down.

I have also ditched my synthetic jacket for my Montbell Ex Light. and brought my 2.2 ounce homemade wind jacket.
I will never wear the synthetic while hiking and the down jacket is just as warm and the same weigh (with the wind jacket).
The wind jacket can be used in the rain as well, and I'll actually wear it while hiking.

[M B]

For me, hiking thru Yosemite 37 miles in a day to avoid a bear cannister, would negate the reason for going there at all.

[Aaron Sorensen]

I plan on hiking a lot more than just 37 miles a day.
To me, this is "fun".

[Nick Gatel]

"I plan on hiking a lot more than just 37 miles a day.
To me, this is "fun"."

That is the bottom line for each of us. Enjoy your trip.

[M B]

I agree, thats why I said "For me"

I frequently hike long days, even some night hiking, I have harbored ideas of just hiking all night long before too. But I dont miss the scenic parts of a trail to do it, because that is why I go. If Im in a green tunnel, then dont care.

And there are those that start at 10am,stop at 3pm, carry 50lb packs that think Im a nutjob.

Different strokes for different folks.

Assuming sobo, 7700 ft elevation gain the first day might be a beeyatch though needing 37+ miles done.

[Jake D]

"I agree, thats why I said "For me"

then why post it? other than to knock his trip and make yourself feel better somehow?

[M B]

"then why post it? other than to knock his trip and make yourself feel better somehow?"

Why did you post this, to show your a jerk?
Well done.

[Kattt]

Why did anyone post anyway, one could ask..
Nothing was asked here; OP was showing us how it's done.

[Jake D]

there are dozens of JMT list threads to post about hiking gently through Yosemite.. why post in the one where the guy is running it with certain goals that have nothing to do with you or what you think is fun. I'm pretty sure he's said that he has done the hike multiple times and others in the area so he's seen it.

Aaron did you post when you are leaving? I'm psyched for this trip report.

[Aaron Sorensen]

I have made a few changes due to the large amount of rain recently in the sierra's.
I'll update the list of what's in the pics in a bit.

I am at just over 16 pound pack weight with just a few caffeinated gels and some cheese to add.
Items that are not pictured that are in the list are in the bags.

I am really happy with what I have. It all fit easily in the pack.
I need a narrower smaller pack that still fits as good as the ULA and still transfers weight to the hips.

I have way too many packs that fit the bill but all my smaller packs have waist straps that go around your stomach, so all the weight is burdened on your shoulders.

I've broken my right arm and my left clavicle, so the small pack do not work unless I am SUL.

It will be nice having a pack that is easy to be able to grab stuff on the go.

I'll be starting early Sept 8th.

[Nick Gatel]

Arron,

Repackage the oatmeal, instant potatoes, and Mountain House food in zip-locks or freezer bags to save some weight and volume. Plus you can cook the food in a freezer bag.

[afterdarkphoto]

i didn't read on all 4 pages…but beware of alcohol stoves and esbit….not allowed this year in parts of the JMT….getting caught could be an expensive venture and there were plenty of rangers out and about in the southern half two weeks ago

[Aaron Sorensen]

Thanks

[Jennifer Mitol]

Actually I just finished the JMT two weeks ago and alky and esbit stoves ARE allowed. I asked over and over and over, every single ranger I came across, all along the trail. Not one of them thought the fire restrictions had anything to do with what type of stove you could use. The signs all over Kings Canyon actually said "no fires at any elevation. Stoves ok."

When I brought up the definition of a stove, and whether or not alky/esbit stoves counted, not a single person of importance had any idea what I was talking about.

Bring whatever stove you want.

[Randy Nelson]

Jenn, while I have no doubt whatsoever about what the Rangers told you, and I see the same thing here in Colorado and Wyoming about the Rangers not understanding the fire bans (and there is really no excuse for that), alky stoves are specifically banned currently in Yosemite/Seqouia/Kings Canyon. Esbit stoves, which I personally think are the safest, aren't mentioned but the allowed stoves statements doesn't include Esbit. There's probably a low chance of being fined for using an alky/Esbit stove, since the Rangers don't even know the rules, but you can indeed be fined for it.

Yosemite:

Fire restrictions:

No smoking and no building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or cooking fire (including charcoal fires) within Yosemite Wilderness or at the High Sierra Camps. Portable stoves using gas or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed. Alcohol and "Sierra" stoves may not be used in wilderness under these restrictions.

Sequoia/Kings Canyon

Stage 2

EXTREME

No wood or barbecue fires permitted at any elevation. Gas or propane stoves are permitted at all elevations. Alcohol stoves are prohibited.

[Author]

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